BLENHEIM BLAZE

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 19 August 1925, Page 5

BLENHEIM BLAZE

TWO SHOPS GUTTED.

WORST FIRE FOR YEARS

BRIGADE MAKES GOOD SAVE. *

(.BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

BLENHEIM, Aug. 19. The worst file in Blenheim lor some years broke out at 2.30 o’clock this morning, simultaneously in two. adjoining two .storied. 'wcodefn shops in Market Street North, owned by William Murray. One formerly occupied by A. W. toy lor, fancy goods merchant, was vacant and the other was ‘occupied by John Bailey, a pastryscook and confectioner. 'The top floor of this building was occupied by tlie Trocadero Tea-rooms, owned by Airs. V. M. Zea‘land®. The fires had a good hold before they were noticed, but- the ‘brigade put up a wonderfully good performance, using the high pressure water supply, also tlie -auxiliary pumping plant, and hail the fire under control in half an hour. It was a, great save, ais the line of wooden shops extends from the scene of fire as far as Gurling Ltd., in Market Square, and failure to cope ’with the outbreak would have meant a. fearful sweep involving practically the wliole block. The two shops to which the fire was confined were fairly gutted. They were insured for £l3lO, and Bailey’s stock and fittings for £6OO, and -there was a smaller amount on the tea-room eontents. ‘ Early in the night an outbreak of fire at the- Empire Hotel was suppressed without damage. It io a coincidence that- Mr. Fletcher,• secretary of the Underwriters’ Association and other representatives of the insurance convpauys are. in Blenheim, with -a view to reducing premiums. They had witnessed a- demonstration ■by the brigade yesterday and" were interested spectators at. the -real outbreaks. P .