KING STREET FIRE

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3492, 30 October 1926, Page 10

KING STREET FIRE

A Sorry Spectacle

The explosion which announced the fire in King street to nearby residents yesterday morning was hoard several hundred yards away, but it was difficult to determine the cause. It is assumed, however, that it came from the garage of the Highways Transport Co. Did., which had three big service cars and three lorries badly damaged, while two other lorries suffered to a lesser extent. Although appearances at the time of the fire pointed to the garage itself being the centre of the conflagration, lb at structure of wood and iron suffered to a lesser extent than Mr. W. Hardlcy’s electro-plating works next door, which were completely gutted. One of the lorries was piled up with empty benzine cases, and probably it was the fierce flames from these that sot the neighbouring cars alight. They were a sorry spectacle yesterday as they stood in the charred and waier-dronchcd building. Next door to Mr. Hardlcy’s shop. Mr. D. O’Reilly’s plumbing workshop was also visited by the fire fiend, hut he was driven away after damaging the building, plant and stock to the extent of over £IOO. The Highways Tra-nsport Coy. had its cars and lorries insured for £3,-950, while there was a cover of £3OO on the building. Mr. Hardloy's stock and plant were insured, for £SOO. The wooden building. housing tho plating works, the plumbing establishment and Messrs. Trevor Bros.' Office is owned by Mr. O’Reilly and was protected by a cover of £SOO. but the owner is a big loser, as tho building will have to ho rebuilt in brick. The limits of (be outbreak were readied before tho flames touched the Tanton Rifle Club on the one side and Messrs. Trevor Bros.’ on the other.