TRAGIC FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 12

TRAGIC FIRE

BRIGADESMAN KILLED TOUCHED LIVE WIRE FOUR SHOPS INVOLVED HOTEL NARROWLY SAVED [by telegraph—own correspondent] INVERCARGILL, Tuesday A fireman was killed by an electric shock at Bluff early this morning and two shops were destroyed in the most disastrous fire in the recent, history of the town. A third shop was extensively damaged and two other buildings suffered slightly. The victim was:— Mr. Walter H. Molloy, aged 30, married, an employee of the Bluff Borough Council. Two persons sleeping at the rear of the shops which were destroyed were driven out by the flames and escaped in their night attire. The damage to the buildings and stock is estimated at between £3OOO and £4OOO. The cause of the fire is not known. Others Receive Shocks Mr. Molloy climbed a ladder with a lead of hose and jumped on to the top of the verandah _ of the Single Profit Store. His hand came into contact with tho power wires, which carried 2.'50 volts, and which entered the building above the verandah, and when he fell his hand was clutching the wires. Several onlookers rushed to Mr. Molloy's aid and one young man who climbed the ladder touched the edge of the verandah and suffered a shock Another person received a .slight shock before a resident pulled out the fuse. When Mr. Molloy was removed from the verandah artificial respiration was resorted to lor about an hour and a half, but ho died about 6.30 a.m.

Extent of the Damage The premises involved in the fire wore: A fruit shop and dining rooms owned by Messrs. Nichol Brothers, and occupied by Mrs. M. P. Boberg, destroyed; Everybody's Oyster Saloon, owned by Mr. E. A. Newman, of Invercargill, and occupied by Mr. T. J. Cahil, destroyed, Single Profit Store, extensive damage to building and stock; a millinery shop owned by Mr. J. H. Young and occupied by Miss I'. L. McDonald, damage to building and stock.

The buildings occupied portion of Gore Street from the Golden Age Hotel to the Bluff Harbour Board's office. The fire was discovered by a seaman on a watch on the steamer Waikouaiti, which was berthed at the main wharf, almost opposite.

In a remarkably short time two shops were reduced to ruins. One wall of the fruit shop, although charred and twisted, still stood, supporting portion of the roof. But this also collapsed later in the morning. Flames Spread to Hotel The wind drove the flames against the brick western wall of the Golden Age Hotel. Seven of its windows were broken by the intense Inat, sashes were burned and potions of the walls and ceilings suffered, but more extensive damage was prevented by the prompt action of the occupants in drawing asbestos shutters over the windows. When it seemed that the work of the brigade was practically done and the risk of the fire spreading to any of the adjoining premises was slight, unexpected flames burst through the roof of the Single Profit Store, immediately next to the oyster saloon. The efforts of the brigade were redoubled, as the flames threatened to destroy the shop and the adjoining drapery shop, which was now also blazing. Not until more than six hours after the arrival of the brigade was its work finished. Insurance Oovers The stock in the Single Profit Store was insured with the Poval Exchange Insurance Company for £6OO, and plant and for £175. The contents of the millinery shop were insured with the British Traders' Insurance Company for £SOO. The fruit shop and dining rooms were insured with the Alliance Assurance Company for £750 and the stock was insured with the State Fire Insurance Office. Everybody's Oyster Saloon was insured for £250 with the New Zealand Insurance Company and the stock and effects were covered by the Norwich Insurance Company for the same amount. Insurances on the other buildings are not known.