DISASTROUS FIRES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14208, 3 November 1909, Page 7

DISASTROUS FIRES.

JOINERY FACTORY BURNED.

'NUMBER of HANDS idle.

[by telegraph.— correspondent.]

- : * Paeroa, Tuesday. A disastrous fire occurred at Paeroa shortly after five p.m. to-day, by which Messrs. Jas. McAndrew and Co. timber and joinery factory, was destroyed. How the fire started is not known, but it must I have commenced somewhere upstairs in the i joinery department,' where the foreman locked up a few minutes after five. At that time everything seemed to be safe, but a few, minutes later , some of the railway men saw from the railway line, a short, distance away, that smoke was issuing. from the second storey. The railway engine whistle was blown, and this attracted attention and the fire alarm was given by the bell. The fire brigade, under f Captain Moore, was on the scene very quickly, but by this time the fire had a tremendous hold. A strong wind was blowing, and the whole factory was soon alight. The fire brigade could do nothing against the tremendous blaze, but a little of the joinery, from the ground, floor was brought out by the brigade and volunteer helpers. .The efforts •of the brigade were then concentrated on an endeavour to save , some pf the timber stacked in the yard, and in this they were partially successful. They also prevented the fire spreading to., the residence occupied by Mr. Colbourne, the firm's engineer, which, is alongside the yard, and that of Mrs. McGeehan at the back of the timber, yard. All the furniture was taken out. of these residences, but the, buildings did "not catch alight. The firm's office, which was in the direction from whit>h the wind was blowing, was also saved. ' The fire burned with amazing rapidity, and half an hour after the alarm was given the factory was totally destroyed.

The loss will be a. severe one to the firm and also to the town, as a large number of hands were employed:

The insurances could not be ascertained this evening, but they are believed to be between £3000 and £4000, but this will not cover half the damage.

HOUSE BURNED AT OREWA.

[BY TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT

Orewa, • Tuesday.

A house of eight or nine rooms, owned by Mr. Hatfield and' occupied by Mr.- A. J. Hatfield, jun., wasjburned down at three o'clock this morning. Mr. Hatfield was sleeping upstairs, and had only time to escape on to the verandah and down a post. Nothing was saved. The building was insured in the State Fire Insurance and Ocean Companies for about £500.

• STORE DESTROYED. [BT TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Coromaxdel, Tuesday. A fire occurred at Kuaotunu last night, resulting in the" destruction of a store adjacent to the Kuaotunu Hotel, occupied by Mrs. Dixon. ' • .5 s

BLAZE AT HOKITIKA.

[by TELEGRAPH.—PBKS ASSOCIATION".] Hokitika, Tuesday.

Fire' last night gutted Stephens Bros.' drapery r " establishment arid residence in Revell-strfeet. The insurances are :—South British; '£300 on stock, £170 on" furniture, £30 on " piano ; ' National/ £100 on building, £150 on Mock Victoria,' £100 on building, y £lso on stock. • "

FARMER , SEVERELY BURNED. Jf [from our .OWN. correspondent.] . Kaueapakapa, Tuesday. . A fire broke out , ..morning on the farm of Mr. H. E. Cole, of Kaukapakapa, completely demolishing a large barn and a stack of' hay and a quantity of . sundries. The barn was only insured for £60, co that Mr. Coles' loss will be heavy. About £300 worth of farm implements and harness were got out of the burning building. Mr. Cole was so severely burned that medical aid had to be telegraphed for to Helens where, the services of Mr. Wharton, chemist, were obtained. Mr. Wharton was soon on the spot and dressed the injuries. The origin of the fire is unknown. <