THE THIRD OUTBREAK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9183, 6 April 1910, Page 5

THE THIRD OUTBREAK.

IN MILLAR AND GIORGI'S

PREMISES.

Shortly after 10.30, and before the town had settled down from the result of the two previous alarms, the bell sounded again, and dense volumes of black smoke issuing from the upstairs window of Messrs Millar and Giorgi s temporary premises in the Square showed that their mercerv, and boot emporium had also been attacked by the fuc fiend. ' The harassed Brigade was quickly on the scene, and leads of. hose being got out from the sides, front, and rear, the fire was quenched before- it got a chance to break out outside, though practically the whole of the interior of the building is destroyed, whilst what can be seen of the stock shows that what has not been burnt has been most eftectually damaged by smoke and water. The heavy clouds 'of smoke that issued from the windows, back and front, were inky black, and heavy with the odour of burning cloth, etc., and the Brigade did excellent work in practically stopping tjio fire before it got fairly under way. They wore extremely fortunate in being able* to do so. because as in the case of the outbreak in the opposite block inevitable and serious disaster would have followed if the flames had got beyond control. It is quite safe to assert that Bunting's ru:d Mr Turner's promises, and perhaps the- Club Hotel, would have gone. Aα it was. the po??ibit.it,ies were very much worse than what n.ct.i! ally • havinentid. thanks to the splendid work

of the Brigade, an efficient pressure of water, and the absence of wind. Nothing is known as to the cause of either outbreak in the Square. At Messrs Millar and Giorgi's one of the employees, who was quickly on tho scene, states that one of the side windows, between the shop and the new brick addition, was broken in one of the top panes, whilst the lower sash was raised about two inches. Access was not possible owing to there being boot shelves immediately in front of the window, but it is suggested that it would be,quite possible for an incendiarist to throw burning material to any part of the boot, room from the broken pane at the top of the window. Ingress to the premises was refused tho press this morning, but from a casual survey through a broken window it was apparent that the roof had burnt through from the ground floor just where the boot room gives on to the shop proper. Beyond that it was not possible to see. The front of the building was also most carefully guarded by a. fireman, who had instructions not to permit anyone to enter. The building occupied by Messrs Millar and Giorgi is owned by Mr C. J. Hansen, who was previously in business as a draper in the same premises. It was insured for £1000 in the Alliance office, the plate-glass windows which have been cracked being covered by a separate risk of £93.

Insurances on Millar and Giorgi's stock total £4000, and include £500 in the London, Liverpool, and Globe. £500 Yorkshire, £800 Ocean, £250 Phoenix. £200 Standard, £750 Alliance, and £500 N.Z. Insurance Co. The Standard also holds a policy of £300 on the fittings. and there is an insurance of £500 in tho Royal on stock in tho back premises, which is not affected. AN INCENDIARY AT WORK. There seems little doubt that the fire is tho work of an incendiarist. Passersby a little after ten o'clock saw no trace of fire in the front windows of the shop, but less than half an hour later the place was enveloped in smoke.