DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT REEFTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6438, 1 December 1881, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT REEFTON.

LOSS OF LIFE,

DAMAGE £15,000.

(united press association.) Reefton, November 30.

A great conflagration commenced after 2 o’clock this morning at Finlay’s bakery, and spread rapidly, the following properties being destroyed :—Michael Dunn’s furniture warehouse and workshop ; Frank Hampson’s shop and corn store ; Finlay’s shop and bakery; George Shephard’s old butcher’s shop, empty, owned by Dawson ; Dawson’s Hall; Dawson’s large two-storey hotel ; Corbett’s bakery and shop; Danks’ hotel; Collings’ bootmaker’s shop and workroom.

The damage is estimated at about £15,000, and very little of tho property was insured, A lodger at Dawson’s, named Peter Alstad, a Dane, was burned to death, and his charred remains have been found among the debris from the Are,

Later,

The fire originated in Finlay’s bakery establishment, and gained rapid, hold. It consumed on tho one side Hampson’s shop and premises, and Michael Dunn’s shop and furniture warehouse to the corner of the street; on the other side Shephard’s old shop, Dawson’s hall, Dawson’s hotel, Corbett’s bakery, Danks’ hotel, and Collin*’ boot shop were destroyed. The conflagration was checked at a right-of-way next Dick’s (batcher), which is safe. The intense heat did great" damage to Cooran’s hotel and Ching’s store, across Broadway, Finlay is insured for £4OO, aud Dawson for £IOOO. Great damage was done to property in other places by the hasty removal of goods. The unsecured loss is £15,000. Dawson sustained some casualties ; Charles Sinclair broke his arm; Henry Budge got a broken head, and David Mcßeath had his hand severely hurt. The air was hot and oppressive ; but the balm prevented the further spread of the fire. The offices affected are the Imperial (on Dawson’s), £SOO, and Rees (Corbett’s), £IOO. Total loss— Victorian : Finlay, £2OO ; Collings, £75 ; Bank (?), £330. Total loss—Standard ; Collings, £2OO ; Finlay, £2OO ; Dawson, £SOO. Total loss—New Zealand : Collings, £350. Total loss—Damage—New Zealand : Cochran, £100; Ching, £4O. New Zealand and Standard (divided) : The Globe Hotel for £IOO ; Victoria : Bell, tobacconist, £IOO.