A BLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1938, Page 6

A BLAZE

IN LARGE WOODEN BLOCK

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

GISBORNE, December 5

Only splendid work by the brigade prevented devastation by fire,, last night, of' tile Coronation Hotel block, the largest block of wooden buildings in Gisborne. The fife demolished a twostorey corrugated iron storeroom, occupied by Booth, Macdonald and (by.. Ltd., and seriously damaged a showrobin jointly occupied by Booth Macdonald, and T. C. Nicol and Sons, offices occupied by W. Lissant Clay ton. sharebroker, E. F. Hooper, Maori interpreter, and two unoccupied offices.

The fire was discovered about ten o’clock by a porter employed at tlie hotel, the flames then having a strong hold on the adjoining building. The brigade responded 'promptly to the call and had to contend with flame:; leaping high into the air, and threatening the hotel. Rooms on different corners of the hotel were actually reached by the flames and damaged, and at one stage the flames broke through the windows of the dining room. A constant pressure of water on the threatened areas, however, prevented the spread of the flames. Booth Macdonald, and Nicol and Sons, are both heavy losers, but the extent of the damage and insurance is not yet known.