FIRE IN HAWERA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 July 1924, Page 4

FIRE IN HAWERA.

OUTLITTERS’ SHOP ABLAZE. GOOD SAVE BY BHIGADE. During the early hours of Sunday morning an outbreak 01 lire was tiiscineieu m tne piemises of Messrs Goiustone anti Patterson, tailors and outline rs, ox Maweca. 'a he lianies nad obtained a good hold by' tiie tune anyone was aware ot wbat was Happening, but the brigade, who were quickly comniunieated with, were smartly on the scene and ettecced a good save. Miss Schwass, who occupied a room in the Commercial Hotel, next door, was the first tc discover tne outbreak, anu the licensee was informed of the tact immediately. A quick ling through to the iire station followed, and Mr n ilson, who gave the alarm, states that lie nad no sooner hung up the received and locked his ofrice than the brigade, under Superintendent Morrison, were at the scene of the fire. In the meantime Mr Healey, also of the Commercial Motel, who was later joined by 7 Air Oliver and the liightwatcnman, were endeavouring to rouse the hotel chef, whose rooni_ was at the back of the blazing building. The Oriental, however, was slow in becoming aware of iiis danger, and it was only after protestations against the noise made by the three hammering on the door that he discovered the seriousnes/i of his position.

It appears that the fire originated in the wardrobe room containing finished clothing, and spread along a partition in the centre of the shop. The alarm was reecived at the fire station at 1.40 a.m., hut considerable damage had been done that time, new suits, overcoats, aim-expensive rolls of cloth having been rendered useless. Nevertheless, the save by the brigade was an exceptionally fine one, for they extinguished in its infancy a fire which could have swept an imposing block of Buildings in the centre of the town.

Insurances were as follow : —South British .-£*3oo on stock, State Fire £6OO on stocky New Zealand Insurance Co., £llOO on stock, Yorkshire Insurance Co. £IOOO on stock, Australian Alliance Assurance Co. £2OO on workroom fittings and stock and £l5O on the shop fixtures and fittings, lloyal Insurance Co. £350 on the building, ‘which is owned by the Borough Council.