FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12452, 23 December 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

FIRES.

FIRE AT GISBORNE. THREE SHOPS DESTROYED. Gismohne, Sunday. The first fire in the main street for seven years broke out this morning, three shops being destroyed. They were- occupied by Messrs. Attwood, dealer in furniture; Smith Bros., hairdressers and tobacconists; and J. Thompson, florist. The complete insurances have not been ascertainable, but all will be losers to a considerable extent. The origin of the fire is not known. A fii'e broke out in McLeod Brothers', Limited, Soap and Candle Works in Cumber-land-street, Dunedin, on Friday, and before being extinguished considerable damage was done. The building is of three storeys, built of brick. The flames, which broke out in the pressroom, were confined to that department, in which a very large quantity of stearine and new machinery was totally destroyed. It was impossible to ascertain the exact amount of the damage. The insurances amount to £4000, spread over 10 offices, but details are not available. The fire is not expected to interfere with the business. The roof of A. and T. Burt's foundry, adjoining, was damaged to some extent and some machinery injured. The firm is covered by insurance. Mr. Charles Little's three-roomed dwell-ing-house at Opitonui was totally destroyed by fire at nine o'clock on Friday morning. Mr. Little lost everything of which he was possessed.