BLAZE AT OPOTIKI.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10563, 17 April 1928, Page 5

BLAZE AT OPOTIKI.

N.Z.L. AND M. CO. STORE DESTROYED DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT ABOUT £9OOO FIREMAN SLIGHTLY INJURED (Special to the Times.) OFOTIKI, April 13. •'One. of the worst fires in Opotiki for many years took place early this morning, tire large store belonging to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile being completely destroyed. The fire broke out at about 0 o’clock. Mr C. Snell first noticed the outbreak and immediately rang the lire hell which brought the brigade out in quick time. Three leads of hose were run out but the. water pressure was found to be very low. This difficulty was soon overcome bub too late to prevent the fire, getting such a hold that the brigade had no chance of saving any of the building or contents. The Masonic Lodge room was almost immediately adjoining, and but for. the wind blowing away from it, nothing could have saved that building going also. The 'N.Z. Loan buildings were very extensive, covering an area of nearly a quarter acre, of which* nothing is left to-day but’a few feet of wall next to the Masonic Lodge room, the rest being a smouldering rum from which smoke has been rising all day. The fire could not have happened at a more inconvenient time for the staff as exceptionally large stocks of grass seed were on hand to fill big orders for the Coast. The fire was spectacular, huge clouds of smoke rising, and great showers of sparks from the burning chaff and seed being carried long distances over the town. Hundreds of people were attracted by the vigorous ringing of the bell and the glare. Tlie insurance on the buildings was! £3250 in the Union Assurance Co. The stock was insured with the same company, but the company had a policy which varied according to stock held from time to time. Itj is computed the stocks were worth about £6OOO. • Ay a result of the flying sparks several incipient fires broke out, but were quickly suppressed, one being 200 yards away. , When tlie fire was , at. its . height, one of the firemen, D. Glover, approached too near the building, just as a large piece of parapet fell, lb caught Glover, who was badly bruised and had to receive medical attention. ' The local manager, Mr A. Davies, has made arrangements to carry on business in the King’s Picture Hall. Large stocks of benzine were in the premises .at the rear of the store which fortunately the flames did not reach. . ’ ' • " ' A house two chains away had to be continually played oh with water so great was fthe heat.. The origin of , the” fire is a mystery, as no _ one had been on the premises for thirtysix hours.