SCENE OF DESOLATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 10

SCENE OF DESOLATION.

ONLY WALLS STILL STANDING.

HUGE MASSES OF DEBRIS.

CHRISTMAS STOCKS IN ASHES.

[BT TEI.EGRAriI.—OWN COimESrOXDENT.]

WELLINGTON, Tuesday

The scene of the fire was one of desolation and destruction to-dtiy. Where fine buildings stood yesterday, only shells stand to-day. Thompson Brothers' building lias been putted, and all that remains are the concrete walls, twisted girders and a mass of almost indistinguishable debris scattered in all directions over the floor. Largo quantities of fruit and vegetables which wcro to bo sold at auction this morning were in the building, but only tho charred remains are to be seen to-day. It is impossible to make an accurate estimate of the loss, but it must bo very heavy. Thompson Brothers' building extended from Alloa Street to Blair Street.

Tho premises occupied by the Open Warehouse were a scene of chaos, and the floor was littered with broken crockery, shattered into fragments. It was not until nearly one o'clock that the Open Warehouse caught alight, but onco tho flames reached it only a few moments elapsed before it was gutted. Not very long before the proprietors had been in fho building discussing the possibilities of its being saved. Tho Tolan printing works, which were situated above tho Open Warehouse, were destroyed, the flames making short work of them. Much valuable machinery and plant was destroyed. Tho premises occupied by Toop and Neilsen wero also destroyed.

It was possible this morning to gain sonio idea of the damage which resulted to the warehouse of G. Thomas and Co., facing Allen Street. The firm occupied two floors, and these were stocked with all manner of goods, many of them stored in anticipation of the Christmas trade, but once the fire took hold there was no chance of saving anything. Prime hams and other goods sizzled in the flames, and added to their intensity. Valuable confectionery was consumed \v the flames. Offices and stores in the basement of the Exchange Buildings were damaged, either by fire or water. The buildings facing Wakefield Street did not escape, and all suffered.

Tho warehouse of Teagle, Smith atid Sons was the greatest sufferer, for it was here that tho flames first burst through from the centre of the block. The upper storeys of tho building were gutted, and much valuable stock, including motor accessories, was destroyed.

The premises occupied by Burbidge and Co., on the corner of Wakefield and Blair Streets,. were slightly damaged by water, but the occupants of some of the upstairs rooms were less fortunate. DETAILS OF INSURANCES. TOTAL AMOUNT £126,000. EXTENT OF THE LOSSES. [CV TELEGRAPHS —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] VrELLIXGTOX. Tuesday. A meeting of the Underwriters' Association was held this morning. It was ascertained that the total amount insured was £126,350, while the losses beyond insurance were roughly estimated at £IOO,OOO, so that the damage caused by last night's record fire was approximately £250,000.

The following is a complete list of all premises upon which claims for damage are likely to arise and the amounts for which premises or contents were insured

Main Fruit Exchange, building, £52,000 in the Royal Exchange Office.

Thompson Bros., Limited, contents and stock, £12,000; lift and fittings, £2500, in the New Zealand Office; stock, £9OOO, in the Alliance Office; stock, £9OOO, in tho North British and Mercantile Office; total, £32,500.

Lacrv and Company, Limited, stock, £10,500, in tho Royal Exchange Office. To!an Printing Company, contents. £I2OO, in tho. Australian Provident Office; contents, £750, in the New Zealand Office; total, £1950. „, nn ~ ■ George Thomas and Company, £6OOO in the Ocean Office. Brown Bros., and Geddes, stock, £2OOO, in the South British Office. Johnson and Eglin, £3200 in the Phoanix Office. £7OO "in tho National Office; total, £3900. Griffin, Savage and. Company, £6200 in the Southern Union Office; stock, £IOOO in the United Office; total, £7200. Open Warehouse, £SOO in the London and Lancashire Office; £2500 in tho Standard Office : total, £3OOO. Toop and Neilson, £ISOO in tho Standard Office, £ISOO in the New Zealand Office; total £3OOO. Harrison and Ramsay, Limited, £ISOO in the London and Lancashire Office, £SOO in tho Commercial Union Office; total, £2OOO. Buckland and Company, £IOO in the National Office, Keane, Limited, £3OO in tho South British Office. McLeod and Company, £4OO in tho Guardian Offico. Walton and Company, £l5O in the Royal Office. Dnnsheath and Company, £650 in the United Office.

The buildings, stocks find contents enumerated above are believed to be total losses. The extent of loss in the following is not definite:— Goldiiigham and l>eckett, Limited, building, £SOOO in the Northern Office and £3OOO in the l\oyal Exchange Office; contents. £BOOO in the Northern Office; total, £16.000. \V. Lurbidge and Company, buildings. £2OOO in the State Office; contents, £IOO in the Victoria Office; total £2IOO. New Zealand Platers, Limited, stock and plant, £IOOO in the South British Office. Union Clothing Company, £IOO m the National Office. Post and Telegraph Department, material, £ 150 in the National Office. W. 11. Urav, £750 in the National Office, £3OO in the Sun Office, £l5O in the State Office; total £I2OO. J. FSowtic, contents, £SOO in the Prudential Office. Smith and Sons. Limited, wero insured in Lloyds, but the amount is not. yet available.