FIRE IN NAPIER.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 280, 6 November 1924, Page 4

FIRE IN NAPIER.

TWO SHOPS GUTTED. Shortly after two o’clock this morning the Napier Fire Brigade were siinri. moned to an outbreak of fire in a two' storied building in Hastings street, comprising shops occupied by Mr. Hodges (truiterer) and Aliss Young (dressmaker). The brigade promptly had several leads playing upon the names, and within a lew minutes had the outbreak under control. Difficulty was experienced in locating the fire plugs on the Parade owing to their being covered with shingle which had er. deposited there during th© borjugh’j tarring operations. The fire originated apparently in the centre of the bnildmg, which was a very old one, adjoining Messrs. Anderson and Hansen’s motor garage. On the arrival of the brigade the building was a mass of flames and burned rapidly. Tlie speedy efforts of the fire fighters prevented the flames •from penetrating the outer wails but the whole building was gutted and the contents a total .loss. The only protection to the garage was a galvanised wall and if the fire had penetrated it the losses would have been serious owing to the building containing a large plant and a number of valuable cars. Both Aliss Young and Air. Hodges will be considerable losers. Mr. Hodges premises were occupied residentiary out fortunately the occupants escaped without injury. •