DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13949, 4 January 1909, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

MAN BURNED TO DEATH. LOSSES BY BUSINESS FIRMS. [BY TELEGRAPH. TRKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Sunday. The police received a telegram yesterday morning advising that the coaohshed at Martinborough Hotel had been destroyed by fire, and that the body of an unknown man had been found among the ruins. BIG BLAZE AT HAWKE'S BAY. [BV TELEGRAPH.—TRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier, Sunday. A telephone message from Wairoa states that- a block of buildings, occupied by the East Coa-st Mail newspaper and several business people there, was totally destroyed by fire between two and *.;ilf-past two o'clock this morniiitr. The Mail's damage amounts to about ib'OO, that of Mr. Chapman (draper) to about the same amount, that of Mr. Holt (builder) at about £1000, whilst that of Messrs. Broad and Tristram (chemists) is not stated. Nothing wa« caved, and the total damage is estimated at about £7000. There was a change, of wind at about throe o'clock, otherwise destruction would have, been much greater. OUTBREAK AT DANNEVIRKE. [BT TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Dannevirke, Sunday. A fire occurred at about six o'clock last night in Messrs. Wylie and Co.'s premises, occupied by Messrs. J. J. Patterson (solicitor). R. G. Patterson and Co. (land and I estate agents and accountants), and Wylie and Co. (grocers). Tho fire apparently started in the office of Mr. J. J. Patterson through some unknown cause. It obtained a firm hold in that part of the building, and spread to the upper storey. The brigade was promptly on the scene, and quickly subdued the flames, although a gale was blowing and serious damage was anticipated. Messrs. R. G. Patterson and Co. suffered from water, and Messrs. Wylie and Co. lose about £20 through the same cause. The premises are in the estate of Mr. J. J. Patterson, a bankrupt, and the business of Messrs. Wylie and Co. belongs to the estate. Messrs. R. G. Patterson and Co. have nothing to do with the bankruptcy beyond occupying the offices. The insurances are not yet available. STORE AND STOCK DESTROYED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—rRESS ASSOCIATION.] Blenheim, Sunday. A fire, which broke out early this morning, destroyed Mr. William Soivman's grocery store and the stock therein.. The books were rescued in a charred condition. Mr. Sowman, who owned the property, is a considerable loser. The insurances are £1000 on the building in the State Office, and £700 on the stock in the Phoenix Office. CHINESE LAUNDRY BURNED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —rRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchttrch, Sunday. An old wooden two-etorey building, used as a Chinese laundry, was totally destroyed by fire at 2.15 this morning. The occupants (two Chinese) just got out in time. The building, which was owned by Mr. T. Dixon, was insured in the South British for £150.