THE FOXTON FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15055, 26 July 1912, Page 8

THE FOXTON FIRE.

A DISASTROUS BLAZE,

THER DAMAGE NARROWLY AVERTED..

POLICE INVESTIGATING.

lir TELEOB-Wn.— CORRESPONDENT.]

.Wellington, Thursday. The fire at Fox ton which demolished a largo main stccoß area on Monday night and Tuesday morning, extended from Whyte's Hotel to the Presbyterian Church and destroyed the premises of 12 business firms. The block was situated on the eastern side of Maiii-street, and but a few

chains to the south on the opposite side, is the conspicuous gap left by the disastrous fire of last' month, while two doors below Whyte's Hotel are the ruins of the Bank of New Zealand, which was burned in the early part of this month.' ; * Fighting the Fire. Monday night's fire started a little after midnight in Ball's premises, and seemed to have its origin in the biliiardroom. A strong southerly wind prevailed, and it drove the fire to the adjoining buildings with terrible rapidity, the whole block being burnt out by about 2.30. A crowd quickly gathered after the alarm was given, and 'bucket and salvago brigades were formed to do.what little lay in their power in the absence of water pressure and fire appliances. Hundreds turned to, and property of various kinds was rescued from the premises as yet uninjured by the flames. Fences and walls were demolished to hinder as far as possiblo the progress of the lire, and .water was applied to places likely to prove dangerous connecting links. Owing to the fierce heat however it was soon realised that extensive destruction was j inevitable. The buildings were one- j storeyed -wooden structures, and formed an easy prey for the flames. Saving the Church. Particular attention was directed to the Presbyterian Church, an old building with a shingle roof, which appeared to bo in imminent peril, notwithstanding that there is an intervening vacant, section with a frontage of nbout 40ft. If the' church had caught it would also have involved, the destruction of the police station (comprising the constable's residence, the cells, and outbuildings), the courthouse, and the new Town Hall. A large body of helpers set to -work to protect the church, some mounting the roof to moisten the shingles, and others pulling down tho fences and guarding the, walls. Fortunately by their combined efforts, aided by the fact that the outer wall of Side's shop was of corrugated iron, this area was cut off from danger. Almost a Glean Sweep. Whyte's hotel was separated from the other side of the burning buildings by a section of about 50ft, and the direction of the breeze prevented any encroachment in that direction. A change of a few points in the bearing of tho wind, it is considered, would have resulted in a clean sweep from the hotel to the Town Hall corner, where flames or sparks would probably have been carried across the intervening street "to the boardinghouse opposite, whence the link of demolition would have extended to Thyune-etreet. Tho owners of tho buildings which have been razed were Mrs. Thynne, Mrs. Austin, and Mr. G. H. Stiles.

Foxton now presents a melancholy ap- | pearance, for of the well-packed business quarter of two months ago little remains. : There is only one large block left standing, and it extends from the Station Road corner to a site near the Herald office. .A block of buildings occupying precisely the eamo ground as those which were destroyed last night, was demolished about nine years ago. Another coincidence is that Superintendent Barnand, of the Palinerston North Fire Brigade, was on a visit to Foxton yesterday for the purpose. of pieparing a report on a scheme of fire prevention, to be submitted to the Foxfon Borough Council. Insurances on Stock and Buildings. The insurances ascertained up to the present, are as follow: — G. H. Stiles (two buildings) :' £200 in the Victorian, £300 in the Alliance, and £800 in the State. Stock, £1800, in Liverpool, London, and Globe, and £450 in the Alliance. Plate-glass and fittings, £225 in the Liverpool, London, and Globe; cash register, £100 in the Alliance; fixtures, £150.. E. Ball: Stock, £250 in the Queensland Austin Estate. Buildings, £500, and bakehouse £50 in the Liverpool, London, and ! Globe. | Simmons (jeweller) : £225 in the Queensland, £100 in the State, and a policy in the Commercial Union. Walls: Stock, £250 in the Queensland. Mrs. Thynne: Buildings, £300 in the New Zealand, and £100 in the South British. Miss Wanklyn: Stock, £65, in tho Commercial Union. R. Moore: Insured in the National. Betty: Stock, £300 in the National. The church was insured connectionally, and was damaged on tho roof to the extent of £40 or £50. Detective Quirke and the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the occurrence, and it may be found necessary to hold an official inquiry.