DISTRUCTIVE FIRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 15 January 1927, Page 9

DISTRUCTIVE FIRE

OUTBREAK AT GREYMOUTH VALUABLE STOCK BURNT FIREMEN’S NARROW ESCAPE. (BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION. / GREYMOUTH, Jan, 15. The most disastrous fire which has taken place in Greymouth for a considerable time occurred at 5.50 o’clock last night, resulting in the total, destruction of the Mawhera Quay premises of McGruer’s, Ltd., with, stocks estimated to be worth. £IO,OOO to 613,000. The tire appeared to have commenced in the upstairs portion of the premises, and by the time the brigade was oil the sc. ne it was obvious that the building and contents were doomed, so great was the hold which the flames had estabished in a few minutes. Had it not been for the high brick and concrete wall which surrounds the building, the lire must have spread to adjoining premises, Ashbv Rergh (Ltd.), Halker’.s tea rooms and the National Bank. Owing to the direction of the wind (south-west), the premise® occupied in Wegitau Street by James ana lorkarth, motor-eyee dealers, were in danger and actually caught in the rear portion, of the building. As it was, all the damage sustained by the adjoining buildings were broken skylights in Ashby and Bergh’s premises, and in the National Bank and a smal amount of damage by water in the latter premises. When the brigade got its Dennis engine to work there was an ample supply of water, and a satisfactory pressure. Owing to a fault developing in the suction pipe, it was about fifteen minutes before the Dennis commenced operations. In the meantime, leads- . had beni taken off the hydrants. It was seen by 9.30 o’clock that the brigade was getting the fire in hand, and. threequarters of an hour later the outbreak was practically quelled. There was considerable excitement at 9.30 o’clock when the roof of the building came crashing down, as there were a number of firemen, ip the building. There was considerable consternation until they were all accounted for. Most of them ran quieky out of doors, but when a tally was taken it was found that Foreman J. Kennedy was still in the building. All fears were shortly abated, however, as he called out that lie was a ! ,l right. When the alarm was given that the roof was falling, a number of men, inside took refuge underneath the counters, and so were safe. Fireman White sustained a, bad cut on his hand with a piece of glass, otherwise all firemen got- out without injury. , The fir? did its work completely, tor al 1 , that remains this morning of what yesterday was one of the largest and inost up-to-date stocks on the V est Coast is charred ruins. Mr P. Tliorpv. the manager, is absent at a convention of McGruer’s branch managers at Wanganui. I lie shop had just been freshly dressed out and a quantity of new stock was opened up yesterday. The oriein of the lire is unknown. Mr Brooks, sub-manager for MeGruer. stated that when hei locked up at 5.30 o’clock everything was all right. McGruer’s were insured, . but the amounts were unavailable owing to thy absence of the manngr at Wanganui. Ashbv Rer<di’s stock was insured for £1409 in the Atlas office, and is also insured in other offices. The National Bank's insurance was also with the Ulas.