A CONFLAGRATION.

Hastings Standard, Volume XII, Issue 4126, 8 April 1909, Page 5

A CONFLAGRATION.

ANOTHER HEAVY LOSS. CANTERBURY FARMERS' CO-OP PREMISES DESTROYED INSURANCES £33-995-PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. Timaru last night.—Ac 11.15 tonight a fire broke out iu the Canterbury Farmers' Stores, wnere business Ins beeu carried on since the big firo of last year. The] large block-is doomed, it beiua a flames from base to roof. The stock is all of an inflammable nature.

Timaru, April 8. The fire at the Canterbury Farmers' Co-op premises last nieht was discovered at 11.20, when it had a very strong hold, a great volume of flames bursting from the roof above the tailoring department as the Brigade arrived: It was apparent from the outset that nothing could control the fire, and the efforts of the firemen were directed cniefly to checking the flames at the front to prevent the fire spreading to the two large hotels on the opposite side of the street, which is only half a chain wide. The fire reached its height a quarter of an hour after the alarm had been given, by which time the whole north half of the building had been converted into a seething furnace, while the remainder wa's burning fiercely.

Large portions of the exterior walls collapsed at intervals, but no damage was done by falling bricks. The safety of the Customs House, the nearest building on the northern side, was secured by the wide gap. By two o'clock the fire had practically burnt out, though stacks of goods are still blazing this morning in spite of the water poured in throughout the night. Little now remains but the bare walls.

The milliners were engaged in the building at nine o'clock and the watchman who locked up after they went home left everything secure, and passers-by five minutes before the alarm was given saw no fire. The insurances on the building, which is the property of the Farmer's ■\ssn., are: Alliance £SOO, Imperial £IOOO, and Farmers Co-op. £1075. The insurances on the stock are Alliance £15,8:0, Royal £5500, New Zealand £5500. Farmers' Co-op. £2500, and Northern £I7OO. The furniture and fixtures are insured in the New Zealand for £4OO. The total insurances are £33,975 The Association proposes to recommence business immediately utilising- the temporary otfici used by the staff since the last fire in February. IQOB.