SHOPS BURNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21292, 20 September 1932, Page 8

SHOPS BURNED

BLOCK IN TE KUITI LOSS OF OVER £IO,OOO i FIVE PREMISES DESTROYED POST OFFICE THREATENED STAFF WORK NEAR FLAMES [BV TELEGRAPH —OWN 'CORTt ESFONDENT] TE"KUITI. Monday One of the biggest fires in the history of Te Kuiji occurred shortly after nine o'clock this evening, resulting in the destruction of five shops in a wooden block of buildings on Rora Street, the main thoroughfare. The loss is estimated at about £IO,OOO. The shops were occupied by the following:— Mr. H. C. Evans, boot and shoe store. Luen Cheng, fruiterer and confectioner. The Te Kuiti Bargain Stores, owned by Mason and Dobson. Mr. D. McCorkindale, saddler. Mr. J. F. Hogan, tobacconist. The fire started in the back portion of the premises of the Bargain Stores. It had a strong hold when a passer by noticed a cloud of smoke and called the fire brigade.. When the brigade arrived they were confronted with an impossible task in saving the buildings. Their initial efforts were directed toward saving the adjoining Te Kuiti post office, which was in considerable danger at one stage. A Mass of Flames Only a narrow alley-way separated th 6 post office from the burning buildings, which soon became a mass of flames. The brigade worked several leads on the post office side of the premises and on the post office. Gradually the fire was beaten back until the post office was safe. The fire was prevented from spreading in the other direction by brick premises occupied by Mr. W.,F. Cato, ironmonger. Confined to the wooden block, the flames swept completely through it in a little over, half an hour. Magnificent work was done by the brigade, under Mr. J. Henderson, but' at no stage was there any hope of saving the block. The firemen were greatly hampered by the terrific heat of the flames, which quickly devoured the wooden walls and ceilings. When the fire was finally under control only portions of the front and sides of the block were standing. Efforts to Save Stock At .its height, the fire presented a magnificent spectacle, which attracted hundreds of spectators. Flames shot to a great height and the glare was visible for miles in the surrounding country. Several residents helped brigadesmen and police in saving a portion of stock in the shops of Mr. McCorkindale and Mr. Hogan. Most of the stock in. Mr.' McCorkindale's shop was saved, including the safe and some of the fittings, but all the repair work at the back of the premises was destroyed. A quantity of stock was also saved from Mr. Hogan's premises, but in the case of the other shops the loss was complete. Before it became impossible to approach the blazing premises, strenuous attempts were made to save stock.. The men had to work quickly and in an ever-increasing heat. Goods were carried out by the armful and placed in heaps on the reserve adjoining the railway line. One man received severe cuts on the hand from broken glass.A trying time was experienced by officers on duty at the post office. Before the brigade succeeded in driving the flames from the side of the post office building, the wall was scorched and several windows cracked under the terrific heat. Woman Overcome by Heat Attendants at the telephone exchange worked within a few yards of the flames and the service was maintained in spite of the ominous sounds from without. A woman attendant, who was overcome by the heat, was replaced by a man. Arrangements were made for carrying to safety all mails and records, which were placed in bags and removed to the side of the building away from the fire. Forty-five minutes after the alarm was given almost the whole of the block was a mass of blackened ruins. Most of the walls had disappeared, having fallen to the accompaniment of a crash and a shower of sparks. Those walls remaining are without proper support and are leaning at dangerous angles. Fortunately, a good 6upply of water and the absence of wind were great aids to the brigade in keeping the firo from spreading. It is estimated that the loss, exclusive of the buildings, was about £SOOO or £6OOO, and the premises were valued at between £4OOO and £SOOO. All the shops were covered by insurance, but details were not available • this evening. The block, which has & frontage of about 80ft. in the main business centrf, comprised some of the oldest buildings. in the town, but they were fitted as modern shops.