DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT REEFTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT REEFTON.

LOSS OF LIFE.

DAMAGE £15,000.

(united press association.) Keeeton, 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 Hail; Dawson’s large two-storey hotel ; Corbett’s bakery and shop; Danks’ hotel; Collinga’ bootmaker’s shop and workroom.

The damage is estimated at about £15,000, and very little of the property was insured. A lodger at Dawson’s, named Peter Alstacl, a Dane, was burned to death, and his charred remains have been found among the debris from the fire. Later. The fire originated in Finlay’s bakery establishment, and gained rapid hold. It consumed ou the one side Hampson’s shop and premises, and Michael Dunu s shop and furniture warehouse to the corner of the street; on the other side Shephard’s old shop, Dawson’s ball, Dawson’s hotel, Corbett’s bakery, Danks’ hotel, and Collies' boot shop were destroyed. The conflagration was checked at a right-of-way next Dick’s (butcher), which is safe. The intense heat did great damage to Cooran’s hotel and Chiug’s store, across Broadway. Finlay is insured for £-100, and 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 Bndge got a broken head, and David Mcßeath had his band severely hurt. The air was hot and oppressive ; but the calm prevented the farther spread of the fire. The offices affected a-e the Imperial (on Dawson’s). £SOO, and Itees (Corbett’s), £IOO. Total loss— Victorian : Finlay, £2OO ; Golfings, £7SJ; Bank (?), £330. Total loss—Standard : Collings, £2OO ; Finlay, £2OO ; Dawson, £SOO. Total loss—New Zealand : Golfings, £350. Total loss—Damage—New Zealand : Cochran, £100; Ching, £4O. New Zealand and Standard (divided) : The Globe Hotel for £IOO ; Victoria : Bell, tobacconist, £IOO.