A BLOCK SWEPT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXI, Issue LXII, 7 April 1911, Page 5

A BLOCK SWEPT.

LPEOM OXTE OWN COEEESPONDENT.]

A disastrous fire occurred here at 12.30 this morning, sweeping a block in the main street. The fire started in Mr Henty's grocery store, and when discovered that building was doomed; nothing could be saved. Whilst this was burning many willing hands endeavored to empty the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co.'s store (which is next door to Mr Henty's), but before their task was-finished the fire entered the building and made it impossible to continue the salvage work. Mr Coghlan's tailor's shop was also cleared just before the fire entered this from the L. and M. Co.'s offioe, his shop being attached to them.

A large alley-way separated the L. and M. Co.'s and Coghlan's buildings from Mr Stitt's boot shop, and the energies of the workers were then concentrated to save this ' building, which was effected. The walls being of iron, and having the windows protected with wet blankets and workers on the roof saturating it with water, did not give the sparks much chance to ignite any of the small amount of Avoodwork visible. Had this caught, half the street would have gone.

The firebell Avas the means of fetching nearly all the townsfolk to the scene. Constable Clouston was quickly on the scene, and took charge. The townspeople worked well, and did all In their power to stay the progress of the fire. The building at the back of Mr Henty's, occupied by Mr Wallack, tinsmith, was totally destroyed, and he lost all his stock and tools. Several of the adjoining shopkeepers moved their stocks out but returned them as soon as there was no danger of the fire spreading. Mr Henty is a loser by the fire, as none of his stock was saved except his gig in an adjoining shed, which was also burnt. The fire engine was not available, and perhaps this recent fire will liven up some of our citizens to the necessity of having this attended to and a suitable supply of water obtained. Had the engine been available it would have enabled the Loan Co.'s stock to have been saved, if not the building itself. Mrs Pettigrew owns Henty's store, and Mr J. O'Rorke the N.Z.L. Co.'s and Coghlan's.