FIRE IN PAEROA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2722, 11 May 1931, Page 2

FIRE IN PAEROA.

DAMAGE BY WATER. SHOP AND DWELLING. A shop in Normanby Road, Paeroa, with dwelling attached, owned by the Cassrels estate and occupied by A. M. Laird, fish merchant, was practically destroyed by fire at 4 o’clock on Friday afternoon, and another shop and dwelling under the same roof, occupied by H. M. Nevin, confectioner, was extensively damaged by smoke and water. The fire commenced alongside chimney in Mr Laird’s kitchen, and had a firm hold in the walls and roof of the old building when it was discovered. Mr Laird had just lighted a big fire in the kitchen range and was working in a shed outside, while Mrs Laird was in the shop, so that the commencement of the fire was not noticed. After removing a new radio receiver Mr Laird picked up Superintendent W. Moore, of the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade, and took him to the fire station in his motor truck. Firemen assembled quickly at the sound of the bell, but when the brigade arrived on the scene of the fire it had a very firm hold, and dense smoke was pouring out of all the back windows and through the walls. Two leads of hose were run out, and the fire'*was kept, within the building. In about half an hour it was extinguished,' but practically all the contents of Mr Laird’s shop and dwelling were destroyed either by fire or water. The fire did not actually break through into the part of the building occupied by Mr Nevin, but big volumes of water caused much damage. A little of Mr Laird’s furniture was saved. The building was insured for £650 in the South British office. Mr Laird’s stock and personal effects earned a cover of £3OO with the New Zealand Insurance Co., and in the same office Mr Nevin had his stock and personal effects insured for £265.