FIRE AT TIMAKU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13666, 6 February 1908, Page 5

FIRE AT TIMAKU.

RETAIL STORES DESTROYED. ' FIREMEN'S HOPELESS TASK. EXPLOSION OF AMMUNITION. X B * TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Timaru, Wednesday. The biggest fire in Timaru since half the town was burned down in 1868 broke out about 5.30 this evening, and completely gutted and destroyed the Farmers' Cooperative retail stores and offices, leaving only the outer walls and strongrooms standing. The building was of two storeys, and extended from Strathallen-str&Jt to Beswick-street, being the largest business premises in town. . - . The upper storey contained a big drapery department, tailors' and dressmakers' workrooms, and an extensive suite of offices. The lower floor contained groceries, hardware, saddlery, and furniture.

The fire broke out in the drapery portion, apparently in a comer occupied by carpets and linoleums, next the Manchester goods. This department was closed as usual at five p.m., but the workroom hands were at work till 5.30. The fire was observed by the chief dressmaker, and th© alarm was given as quickly as possible, but by the time the brigade arrived the fire had such a hold that it was c-uite hopeless to save the building, each floor being open from cr.d to end, and each filled with inflammable goods, especially the upper drapery department.

The fire brigade got as many as a dozen, leads of hose to play upon the flames, but could effect only temporary checks here and there, and the result was the complete burning out of the interior in about three hours. Fortunately there was no wind, and the building stood somewhat apart from all others, so that there was little difficulty in preventing the flames from spreading. Very little stock was saved, but the two strongrooms containing the books were specially guarded by the brigade, and are believed to be perfectly intact.

A stock of ammunition} in a corner of the lower floor, kept up a rattle like bail on an iron roof for half-an-hour, and the police cleared the street in the vicinity, where largo numbers of people had congregated.

The destruction was complete, and three lours after the outbreak the lower loor was a vast furnace, consuming the 3ebris, while in the darkness the- fire-lit smoke illuminated the neighbourhood. The manager of the association, Mr. J. P. Newman, happens to be absent on a holiday trip, and his whereabouts are not known.

The total loss cannot be accurately, or even approximately, ascertained ,to-night, except that the drapery stock was worth £10,000 or £20,000.

THE INSURANCES. The insurances on stock totalled £44,000, in the following offices: — Royal and Alliance, £8000 each. New Zealand, £6500. Royal Exchange, £4500. Phoenix and Northern Assurance, £4000 each. National, £2500. Farmers' Union, £2000. Norwich Union, £2000. i Standard, £1500. North British, £1000. The Queensland Company has a line of £1500 on fixtures and plant. The" building was insured with the South British and Fanners' Union Companies, but the amounts have not. yet been ascertained. The structure was practically new, having been built in. 1900, and opened in 1901.