DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19959, 30 May 1928, Page 10

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

OUTBREAK AT CHEVIOT. BUSINESS BLOCK BURNED. RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES. ONLY THREE SHOPS LEFT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J OHRISTGHURCH. Tuesday. A disastrous fire occurred at Cheviot in the early hours of this morning, five shops and the local picture theatre being burned to the ground. The premises destroyed were: — Mr. G. Struthers' store. Mr. L. H. Pruden's picture theatre. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-opera-tive Agency. Mr. J. M. Glasson's billiard room and fruit shop. Mr. W. G. Cone's butchery. Mr. T. S. West's bootshop. The premises were right in the heart of the township, and their destruction has created a considerable gap in the business sGGtion. The fire started at about 2.10 a.m., and burned so fiercely that in a little more than half an hour the buildings involved were reduced to ruins. There was no fire-fighting plant available, and no water supply, so the spectators simply had to stand and let the fire burn itself out. All the premises destroyed were of a single storey, in wood, and comprised one block extendingj.. along the principal thoroughfare. A right-of-way at each end of the block prevented the fire from spreading further. When discovered the fire had a strong hold, at the back of the billiard saloon, and not many persons had assembled when a portion of the picture theatre crashed in under the weight of the iron roof/ The fire spread rapidly to the front of the block, which was soon a raging inferno.

For miles round the countryside was lit up; and occasionally there were explosions caused by bursting aerated water bottles.

The stock and fittings of the picture theatre were insured for £IOO in the Royal Office, and there was a policy of £l5O on the pianola. The dynamo, which was in a separate building, was saved. Mr. Glasson had his stock insured for £350 in the Insurance Office of Australia, and the two billiard tables were insured. Mr. Strutliers owned his store, which included the office used by the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association. He also owned the picture theatre and Mr. Glasson's premises. He had a policy of £201)0 on the stock in the burned store, and a store across the road. About £4OO worth of stock was destroyed. He had insurances totalling £1450 on the buildings. Mr. West's shop was owned by Mrs. Gladys Hayes, and the stock was insured. There are now only three shops left in Cheviot. HURRIED EXIT MADE. EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. J MASTERTON, Tuesday. A fire early yesterday morning destroyed a five-roomed house and contents at Homebush, near Masterton. The building was occupied by Mr. William Cross and his 11-year-old son, who made a hasty exit, only saving a few personal effects. The house was insured for £4OO and the furniture for £BO, and was owned by the estate of Mrs. Cross. BRIGADES SUPPRESS FLAMES. DWELLING AT AVONDALE. Fire broke out in an unoccupied house in Oakley Avenue, Avondale, shortly after six o'clock last evening. The city, Avondale and Point Chevalier brigades turned out and the flames were suppressed after damage had been done to one corner of the kitchen. The house is owned by Mr. A. Murray, who lives in another part of Oakley Avenue, and is insured for £SOO.