FIRE AT BLACKBALL

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1928, Page 2

FIRE AT BLACKBALL

BLAOKMUN’S HOTEL DESTROYED CO-OP. STORE AND HALL ALSO GUTTED. GREYMOUTH, July 14. Blackmun’s Hotel, the gymnasium hall, and the Co-operative store at Blackball were totally destroyed by fire during the small hours of this morning.

The outbreak was first discovered about 12.30 o’clock, but it is not known how the lire originated. The fire started in a portion of the 1 iotel, and quickly ignited the adjoining gymnasium, the cnire structure being soon well ablaze.

Every effort was made by a large army of fire fighters to subdue the outbreak, but tlie wind fanned the flames, and the fire spread to. the co-operative store, which was soon enveloped. At one period, tlie Stenliouse store was ignited, and also tlie Oddfellow’s Hall, but after desperate efforts on the part of the bucket brigade, the latter buildings were saved.

A considerable amount of furniture and other household goods in the Hotel were saved, but it is understood that the proprietor, and others who resided there, lost valuable personal effects. The fire was extinguished about 2 a.m. the three buildings mentioned being then gutted. It is not yet known to what extent the buildings were covered by insurance.

FURTHER PARTfCULARS. [By Telegraph, Per Press Association.] GREYMOUTH, July 14. 'l'lie Blackball fire started in the storeroom at the back of the Co-opera-tive Store. Mr Blaekmun owns the hotel and Mr Metricls owns the furniture in the hotel and the gynasium and the co-op. store. The insurances are unavailable. The fire was burning an electric current pole and it was decided to cut off the current from the Blackball mine, which supplies the township, owing to the danger of falling wires.