DISASTROUS FIRE. AT BLENHEIM.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7784, 1 July 1887, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE. AT BLENHEIM.

Ulenhbim, Thursday. A most disastrous conflagration broke out in Blenheim shortly before 2 o'clock this morning. It originated in the Criterion Hotel, and was first discovered by Master George Carter, who was an invalid, and sleeping at the west end of the building in a room immediately over the dinning-room. Hand-grenades and such water as was available were thrown on the flames, but without avail, and the fire soon had a firm hold of the building, and spread to the adjoining buildings, occupied by Mr Augustus, barber, running along Market-street, consuming the shops occupied by Mr Falooner, cabinetmaker ; ■Mr Burns, sartdler; Mr Healy, bootpnaker; Mr Galloway, draper; Mr Adams, ihatcher. The offices of Mr S. J. Macaiister, commission agent, were pulled down, and this stopped the progress of the fire in this direction. A light north-westerly wind fanned the llames aoross the street, destroying the Colonial Bank, the Jubilee Drapery Warehouse, and the shops of Mr Williams, bootmaker; Mr M'Kenzie, butcher; Mr Tucker, stationer; Mr Oldershaw, confectioner; Mr Elson, druggist (No. 1 shop) ; Mr Kingstead, barber ; Mr Pigot clothier ; Mr Mullen, draper ; Mr Elsofl, druggist (No. 2 shop) ; Mi Griffiths, auctioneer; Mr Macey, photographer ; Mr Mason, watchmaker ; Mr Scott, confectioner (gutted). In Alfred-street the Oddfellows' Hall andy two cottages were consumed. The fire brigade were promptly on the spot, steam being got up in the engine in ten minutes. Powerful streams of water played on the burning pile, but the fire had obtained tou great a hold, and fanned ■ by a light nor'-wester, rapidly spread. The scene baffled description, and the fire seemed beyond human efforts. The pulling down of Mr S. J. Macalister's office saved the National Bank, and prevented the fire from spreading up High-street, T,he brigade-station was twice on fire, but the engineer and his assistants bravely stuck to the steam fire engine, which was stationed inside the shed, Great credit is due to the brigade for the plucky way they stuck to their duty against 'heavy odds, and in intense heat. It js thought that the value of the property destroyed will amount to about £50,000. The insurances, so far as at present can be gathered, are as follows :— South British, £1350; Standard, £3305 ; Liverpool and Globe, £2050 ; Royal, £1000 ; Norwich Union, £1300 ; Victoria, £4875 ; National, £900 ; Northern, £800; New Zealand, £4200; Equitable, £1850 , Colonial, £1350 ; Phoenix, £5423. The Union risks are not yet obtainable. Later. It is feared that Dr. Home, one of the oldest settlers in the district, perished in the fire at the Criterion Hotel. He is known to have slept there, and nothing can be heard of him to-day. At fiyst it was thought that he had gono to his farm, some miles out of town, hilt that was not the case. The friiins have been searched, but no bfldy has yet bsen found.. Dr. Home was called when tj'ie fire broke out, and it is reported that lie got up, but all hope of his being alive is now abandoned.