SHOPS IN FLAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 8

SHOPS IN FLAMES.

BLOCK AT MORRINSVILLE. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE. HARD TASK FOR BRIGADE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Thursday. Damage to the extent of about £4OOO was done by a fire which occurred in a block of four shops and a hall owned by Mr. Algernon Cifford, in Thames Street, Morrinsville, this morning. The shops of the following were gutted:—Mr. A. Gifford, chemist; Mr. J. Ford, boot salesman; Mr, A, Bremner, camera salesman; Mr. A. Richards, fish salesman. The block is constructed of corrugated iron, with brick walls separating it from the adjoining premises. It is situated in the heart of ?he town and faces tho main thoroughfare. The outbreak' originated in a small hall in the block at the rear of the shops at about 1.30 a.m. and soon spread toward tho front. The Morrinsville Fire Brigade did great work in coipbating the flames. It worked with two leads of hose until nearly five o'clock and succeeded in confining, the fire to one block.

The windows of the damaged shops were not broken, buf; extensive damage was done to the rear portions of the blots' and to the stock.

The building was insured for £I6OO and the stock in all the shops was insured.

The fire was the greatest Morrinsville had seen for many years and the whole population turned out to witness it.