DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 249, 20 October 1908, Page 7

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE.

[PBJGSS ASSOCIATION.] ' ASHBURTON, Oct. 19

A wooden block of shops, twentysix years old, at Tinwald, owned by James Gudsell, in which were carried on butchery, bakery, drapery, grocery and ironmongery businesses, __ was totally destroyed by fire last night. The place was locked up on Saturday night, and as far as is Known no one was there till the fire was discovered by the baker at work at the rear of the premises. The fire had a big hold when discovered, and with the exception of a few tools everything was destroyed, the contents of the safe, including deeds, books and money, being charred and made practically unrecognisable. The stock was insured for £500 in the Royal, a similar sum covering the building in the same office. Mr Gudsell was absent in Christchurch. The loss is estimated at considerably above the insurance.