SERIOUS FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 8

SERIOUS FIRE

DAMAGE OF £6OOO

GORE BUILDING DESTROYED BUSINESS FIRMS* LOSSES SOLDIERS' TROPHIES BURNED [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] GORE, Monday Fire in the early hours this /Horning destroyed the Gore Proprietary Company's building and caused loss esti, mated at not less than £6OOO. The sal- ■ vage was ponnned to £SO in notes, some groceries and 20 bicycles. The outbreak was the second one within a few hour,} in the same building, which is now little more than a brick shell. The earlier outbreak occurred at 10.30 on Sunday night. The firemen left the premises about midnight, after they had assured themselves that the then undamaged portion of the building wag safe. The mantle shop occupied by Mrs. M. Isabeth was gutted and damage had been done by flames to the library room of the Soldiers' Club immediately abovo Mrs. Jsabeth's shop. The whole" building, which included Mr. Christie's cycle shop and the Star Grocery Store had been seriously affected bv smoke, but this had cleared before the brigade wag satisfied that there was no further danger. The second alarm was given by a • constable a few minutes after two o'clock this morning, and when the brigade arrived, a few minutes later, it was confronted with one of the most spectacular fires seen in Gore for a number of years. Flames were leap, ing high from - all the upper windows and it was a difficult problem to decide from which angle the fire should be attacked first. Collapse oJ Roof Three leads of hose were brought to bear on the flames and the water soon had an appreciable effect. The partial collapse of the roof, following the burning of the beams, created an added draught, and for a time the outbreak appeared to gain on the fire fighters. The upper flooring also gave way in parts of the building, and attention had to be directed to saving as much as possible of the lower rooms by attacking the seat of the fire from beneath ss well as through the windows. The brigade was able to prevent the complete destruction of the contents cf the grocery store and bicycle fihop, but there was still a long and stern fight ahead of it before the flames were subdued. No cause has been ascribed to account for the original outbreak. It is thought probable that the second outbreak developed in the ceiling of the lower floor. Minor Explosions Heard At the height of the second fire minor explosions were heard, and these were at first ascribed to a collection of war trophies believed to be housed in the Soldiers' Club. However, it was learned to-day that these bombs, secured as souvenirs from national units in the war, were dumped in the river several years ago on account of their dangerous character. All thiit remained was s dozen rounds of blank Turkish ammunition.

The losses of several of the tenant! will probably not be covered by insurances, but one of the most serious losses was a collection of autographed photographs, including one of His Majesty when Prince of Wales, Earl Jellicoe. Sir Charles Fergusson, Earl Haig, Karl Beatty, Field-Marshal Sir William Birdwood, and General Sir Alexander Godlev The safe in the Soldiers' Club was recovered to-day, and on being opened the contents,, amounting to over £SO, were found to bo safe. The notes were fragile and re> quired careful handling to prevent them from falling to pieces. Details of Insurances The building was insured in the Queensland Office for £2500. Other insurances were:—Contents of Soldiers' Club, £6OO in the New Zealand Office; contents of canteen, £SO in the Eagle, Star and British Dominions} Office; contents of Mrs. Isabeth's shop, £BOO ill the State Office; Mr Christie's stock, £475 in the Yorkshire Office.

HOUSE AT TE KUITI SMOKE AWAKENS OCCUPANT [3Y TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE KUITI, Monday The first serious; fire at Te Kuiti for many months occurred early this morning, the back part of Mr. F. Bredenhouse being gutted. The front was much damaged. Mr. Bredenbeck was the only occupant and woke to find his bedroom full of smoke. The flames had a firm hold, but in quelling them the brigade wa« aided by a complete absence of wind.

OUTBREAK IN CONVENT SISTERS AT EARLY MASS [BT TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] DARGAVILLE, Monday Fire occurred at St. Joseph's Convent at Mangawhare at 7.15 this morning. It started in the wash-house and spread along the covered way into the back portion of. the convent building. A bathroom and a pantry were damaged, as also were tho outside walls of the building. Tho wash-house was destroyed. Two leads of hose were taken from the main road, a distance of 400 yds.) and another lead was carried fro® Logan Street, use being made of the high pressure purap on the engine. The flames were quickly got under contro. The building and contents vrere covered by insurances. There were sisters and live boarders living on the premises at the time of the outbroa i and they were at early morning ma when the fire was discovered, lho oui ing was officially opened by the la Bishop Lenihan in December, 1907.