FIRES

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11494, 23 November 1931, Page 7

FIRES

FURNITURE AND PIaNO WAREHOUSES DAMAGED. BRIGADE’S DIFFICULT TASK. (Press Association DUNEDIN, Nov. 21. Premises jointly occupied by Messrs. Butterfields, Ltd., furniture, and F. and F. Martin, piano, warehouses, in the Octagon, were badly damaged by file early this morning. The fire was one of the brigade’s most difficutl jobs for some years, the seat of the fire being at the rear and the firemen having to fight their way through the- reeking pall of smoke from burning kapok. They managed to hold the fire to tho show and store rooms below, making their fight from the stairways. The damage was confined to the back portion of the lower floor. There were large, stocks and both firms are heavy losers. The insurances are not; available. Later.

Tlie brigade prevented the flames from spreading beyond the rear of tho building. The front portion of tile fire was cut off from the songoods department and no damage was done there. The main shop and floors suffered to some extent from the fire, hut the greatest damage was below the stairway. The building, which was owned by Messrs. F. and P. Martin, was insured for £67 50 in the State office. Martins’ stock, which consisted principally, of. pianos, gramophones and records, was covered by £875, in the Sun office. The gramophone records in. the main- shop were'not damaged,, hut several pianos stored in the workroom, below the stairway wore damaged, by smoke. Butterfield’s, stock was insured. f° r £6BOO with the United Coy and top £2500 with the Victoria office. This firm carried a large stock of furnishings of every description, and also crockery and metalware. Protect yourself again of. losses by fire by insuring with tho Norwich Uuion Fire Insurance-Society, Ltd.— . W. LiPnant Clayton. ■ ’