RAURIMU DISASTER

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 December 1925, Page 5

RAURIMU DISASTER

DETAILS OF BIG BLAZE. r FIRE-FIGHTERS’ TASK BUCKET BRIGADE’S GOOD WORK. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) TAUMARiUNUI, Dec. 15. Between, ba'iif past- three and four yesterday afternoon a djLsastrous fire broke out at Raurimu, completely gutting the business portion of the town. Eleven premises were destroyed. The lire commenced in tlie Spiral Hotel upstairs. The alarm was given but the flames. spread with lightning rapidity on each side of the hotel.

One hundred workers formed a bucket brigade under Mr. Hudson and Gaoler Glynn. The fire worked to the Post Office, where a valiant effort arrested its progress, otherwise the whole of tlie main street .would have been gutted. AVaikune prisoners under danger removed goods from Hudson’s and Merriken’s stores to the hall. The tremendous heat made the work difficult. Lack of water also impeded the workers. Flames and sparks burnt goods in the station yard, two chains away. The fire lasted about three lioum. The homeless residents were ac<comm;odiaited in a gai'agfc and (police cells for the - night. Many attempts were made to stem the progress of the fire. Bullocks were employed to drag the walls out. Charges of gelignite in the building next to the Post Office failed, (but the workers pushed the wall and chimney over. Continual waiter on the Post Office arrested the fire .and saved the remainder of the block. _ • V There was ia desolate scene in the town to-day, only drapery and butchery establishments being left in the township. The conflagration means a severe setback to the stepping-off place for tourist traffic to the National Park and the Retaruke Aballey to the AYangamii River. Loss and Insurances. The following premises were destroyed:— AY. Clark’s store, vacant. Insurance nob available. F. J. Ivaram, general storekeeper. Loss estimated at £4,000. No insurances. AV. Hudson, general storekeeper. A total loss. Insurances: Shop and dwellings, Main Street, £2,550; stock and furniture £BOO. Estimated value £SOOO. Mrs. P. AV. Smith, bakery, owned by Hxidson. Loss on stock estimated at £IOO. . Spiral Hotel, owned and occupied by Geoff. Martin. No particulars available. Estimated loss £2505. E. Tempenton, general store. Less estimated at £1000: Insurance on stock £350. The building was owned by J. B. Sherlock, Tauranga. -v. Railway Hotel,- owned and occupied by Tom MicDbnald. Estimated loss, £3OO. No insurances. Dwelling occupied by Mrs. Oammoek, E. S. Merriken’s general store, empty boarding house and garage and stables, owned by Nicholson and Griblin, Auckland. Insurances not available. Estimated .loss £SOOO. H. Merriken’s stock was insured for £ISOO. The total .estimated cost of destruction is £20,000. ' • ••