A Destructive Fire at Gore.

Hastings Standard, Issue 480, 19 November 1897, Page 2

A Destructive Fire at Gore.

SIXTEEN BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT OP £15,000.

INSURANCES, £BOOO,

(By Telegraph)

(Per Press Assochtfia

Invekcargill, This day. A disastrous fire occurred in Goro this morning.

It broke out at 2 o'clock in Brewer and Trenbafch's Horse Bazaar, where 11 horses and all the drays, coaches, buggies, saddlery, Ac., were destroyed. The flames spread to the adjoining premises, and sixteen buildings were demolished, as follows :—A. J. Gibbs (watchmaker), G. Law (saddler), I). L. Ponpehvell (solicitor), Dalgety and Co., J. S. Neave (solicitor), James Blackie (surveyor), Aitken & Broad (saddlers), John Jamie (watchmaker), D. B. Esther (chemist), G. F. Trew and Co. (ironmongers), Charles Steams (tobacconist), G. Shaw (draper), E. G. Gresham (dentist), A.Fletcher's offices, and W. Lathmore's private residence. In nearly every case the entire stocks were destroyed, and the loss is estimated at £15,000. The fact that there was a quantity of powder and other explosives in Trew's establishment deterred people from risking their lives, as an explosion was expected at any moment. The powder eventually went of with a loud report, but no one was injured. But for the splendid efforts of the Brigade the fire would have spread to the other side of the street. The insurances are not yet obtainable. Later. The insurances in the Gore fire are £BOOO.

The New Zealand and Royal offices held the principal risks, and the Victoria and Commercial Union the rest.