FIRES AT TE AROHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18548, 5 November 1923, Page 8

FIRES AT TE AROHA.

THREE SHOPS DESTROYED. OTHER PREMISES DAMAGED. MISHAPS TO FIREMEN. ([BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPOND F.N' C. j TE AROHA. Saturday. A disastrous fire aroused the residents of To Aroha at about 2.30 clock this morning, when three shops and some apartment rooms, situated in the heart of the business portion of the town were almost entirely demolished, while three adjoining shops were considerably damaged. The buildings destroyed were owned by Messrs. J. and G. Lovcgrovo, of Auckland, and were occupied by Mr. G. A. Cornish, boot and shoe salesman; Mr. F. T. Halligan, mercery store, and Mrs. E. A. Pilbrow, the last-named having a confectionery shop, dining rooms and apartment house. Those sleeping in the apartments at the time of the outbreak were Mrs. Pabrow and her four children Mr. W. West and Mr. and Mrs. August Lipsey and a niece, _ and_ - they had very little time in which to make their escape. The fire spread with great rapidity, and increased greatly in volume, the flames shooting high into the calm atmosphere, and indicating the dryness of the wooden buildings and the inflammability of the materials. Messrs. J. B. Johnson and Sons' large ironmongery store, which adjoined, caught fire, but the effective work of the fire brigade checked the outbreak from making much headway, and kept the flames concentrated. On tho other side, Mr. T. Radd's billiard saloon and tobacconist shop was damaged, two bil liard tables being cut by falling glass from the skylights. Messes. J. 3. Johnson and Sons' plumbing and tinsmith factory was slightly damaged. The outbreak, tho origin of which is at present unknown, was first n <ticed by Mr J. Munro. Flames were then ascending from the division wall of Mrs. Fil brow's dining-room and Mr. Halligan's shop. The insurances are: Mrs. Pilbrow, £645, and the estimated loss £1000: Mr. Cornish, £2000, with the National Insurance Company on stock, which is valued at £3500; Mr. Halligan, £1000, with the Northern Company, on stock ! valued at over £3000: Messrs, J. B. Johnson and Sons. £4000 on stock and £800 on the building with the Imperial Company, tho loss being estimated at something like £1000; Mr. T. Radd, £200 on stock and £200 on the billiard tables, with the Guardian Company. Most of Mr. Radd's stock was saved. Tho total loss hqus not yet been estimated. The brigade merits great commendation for the capable and effective manner in which it dealt with tho outbreak, and for its energy in getting tho flames under control. While the brigade was returning to the station Foreman T. Donovan, no doubt -duo to fatigue, fell from the motor-reel, and was rendered unconscious, and it was necessary to obtain the aid of a doctor. Fireman T. Burmester struck his hand on some plateglass, and had it severely lacerated, and Fireman S. McCord had a narrow escape from injury by a falling wall.