£4500 Damage In Fire at Tuakau

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 187, 9 August 1940, Page 7

£4500 Damage In Fire at Tuakau

BUCKET BRIGADE STEMS OUTBREAK Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 9. Losses estimated at over £4500 were caused by a fire which destroyed Peebles building in George Street, Tuakau, this evening. Three shops Which comprised a block, together with their fittings and contents, were lost and damage estimated at about £25 was caused to a nearby bank agency building which was partially demolished. With a frontage of 50 feet, the building was in the heart of the township’s business area and comprised a butchery establishment conducted by the owner of the building, W. J. Deoblej a secondhand clothing shop occupied by L. G. Budden, of Pukekohe, and the men’s clothing business of C. G. Johnson, of Pukekohe. Travelling seven miles from P<ukckohe, the Fire Brigade was assisted by local residents, their efforts being concentrated on preventing the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings occupied by the Farmers’ Trading Company Limited and the Cammell Hardware Company, both of which were protected by brick outer walls. With no high pressure water supply available, a large bucket brigade was formed, water being obtained principally from a deep well in the yard of the Tuakau Hotel. Tho hand-pump on the lire engine was also brought into use. Stock valued at about £14500 was lost by Mr. Johnson, while the fittings and machinery destroyed in Mr. Deeble’a shop were valued at about £640. The value of contents of Mr. Budden’s premises was £SO. The building, which was valued at £2OOO, was insured for £I2OO and Mr. Johnson’s stock was covered to the extent of about £7OO. Mr Budden’s stock was not insured.