SPECTACULAR BLAZE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11538, 15 January 1932, Page 5

SPECTACULAR BLAZE

DISASTROUS EIRE AT WHANGAREI.

THREE BUSINESS PLACES DESTROYED.

OTHER SHOPS DAMAGED

(Press WHANGAREI, Jan. 14. Never since the great fire wnicn swept the town centre of Whangarei about 36 years ago has . such a conflagration raged here as one which broke cut just before seven o clock to-night, involving one of the most important, business blocks m the heart of the town, located with its base in Bank Street, near its junction with Cameron Street. The fire originated m the back portion of -the Farmers’ Unicn Trading Company’s large general mercnand_ ise premises, which are constructed in brick and concrete, three storeys at tho back and two storeys m front. 'The brigade were quickly on Uo scene, when the fire was visible through a window of the basement Though the brigade attacked the outbreak from three sides cf the bnnu ing, with a moderate water pressure the flames quickly spread through the interior, billows ol smoko issuing from the eastern windows at < .10 P m., when a member of the,. firm’s staff rushed in and removed a box of explosives. Five minutes later the flames were visible on the top floor, end shortly before 8 o’clock the whole structure was a terrible inferno, with flames issuing from cvefy aperture and the roofs of the adjoining buildings on either side, Ilosking’s drapery emporium and Chaplins (tchacco,nist) and East (fruiterer) were also well alight by this time. The walls 'of the Farmers’ Union premises collapsed at S.lO o’clock, and those of Ilosking’s shop ten minutes later. Other occupiers of shops in the vicinity removed portico of their stocks,' the remainder being damaged by -smoke and water.

The scene presented a dazzling spectacle, observable over many miles’ radius. The loss, which is net yet ascertainable, will be enormous. Telephone and telegraphic services to the north are largely disorganised. Tho outbreak was well under control at 9 o’clock.