DISASTROUS FIRE IN DANNEVIRKE BUSINESS CENTRE

Grey River Argus, 21 January 1948, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE IN DANNEVIRKE BUSINESS CENTRE

Seven Firms Affected

4 P.A. DANNEVIRKE, Jan. 20. A disastrous fire occurred xh the centre of the Dannevirke shopping area shortly after 6 o’clock this evening. The fire originated in, and was confined to the double-storey wooden bufiding on the east side of Hiqn Street, known as the Cosmopolitan Chambers, owned by the Estate of the late Leo Stein.

The lire apparently began in a shop on the ground floor at tne southern end of the premises. The flames spread rapidly to the upper storey. There was little breeze, and, after strenuous effox-ts by the ovigadesmen and volunteers, the outbreak was under control by 7 o’clock. By that time the top floor was totally gutted. The bottom part of the south end of the building was partly destroyed, and the remainder was severely damaged by smoke and water.

Shops on the ground floor which suffered were:—“Moneysworth,” proprietor, S. Alexander (completely burnt out); Arch Mills, tobacconist; the United Friendly Societies Dispensary; Maeder Hairdressing Sa'.on; Valet Dry Cleaners; Patel Brothers, fruiterers.

Upstairs, the rooms of A. W. Pike, dentist, were destroyed. Apartments on the upper floor were also damaged. Some of the occupants of the partments and some of the shop owners salvaged some or all of their goods. Probably the biggest loss in stock was suffered by ' “Moneysworth.”