WELLINGTON FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 101, 29 March 1939, Page 9

WELLINGTON FIRE

HINT OF ORIGIN. CARETAKER’S DISCOVERY SMOULDERING BUTTS. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, March 29. "Victoria House, the scene of the disastrous fire in Wellington last night, is owned by Mr J. E. Williams, who has been visiting Greymouth. lie left this morning on his return to Wellington. Mr Williams stated that he had an insurance cover of £20,000 on the building. There was no cover on the fittings and fixtures, valued at between £2OOO and £3OOO. The building was occupied by 16 or 18 ton' !ants, who used the rooms mainly as showrooms. From advice received by telegram the fire was apparently started in the top storey by a cigarette butt. It was the custom of the caretaker to go round the building at 4.30 p.m., when the first tenants were closing up, and again at G p.m. On his second round the caretaker found cigarette butts smouldering on the top floor and removed them, but alxiut 6.30 p.m. the fifth floor was found ablaze. Asked if he intended rebuilding, Mr Williams stated that he did not know. It would cost £40.000 to £45.000 to rebuild. He had recently spent £BOO on renovations to equip portion of the building.