SERIOUS FIRE IN BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9274, 21 April 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

SERIOUS FIRE IN BLENHEIM.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION - . Blenheim, April 16. A fire occurred at 6.31) tins evening, starting in the Marlborough Titnsa otiico, apparently in or close to the editor’s room. Tbe foreman loft the building at 5.30, and passed the premises again at 6.10, and he saw no signs at that time of anything out of the ordinary. There bad been no fire in the office and no gas alight during tbe day, and the editor had not been in the office for more Chan a few minutes at a time daring the day. When the fire was first discovered it bad a good hold of tbe premises, and rapidly spread to Card’s (bookseller’s) shop, and also to Sherwood’s fruiterers shop on the other aide. Both these places wero destroyed, and also Howard's (cabinetmakers). By great exertion the brigade saved Tait s Masonic Hotel and Hustwick’s chemist shop. Fully a quarter of au hour elapsed before the water was on, and though the men worked well there was a lack of efficient management, as later in the course of the lire a stoppage had to be made for fully ten minutes owing to the faulty working of the steam engine. Fortunately there was no wind, and when the water was again connected it did not take long to get the fire out. The stock was removed from Smale and Hay’s drapery, but the fire did nob touch them. Nothing was saved from the Times office. Mr Howard loses all his household effects. Mrs Sherwood saved moat of her furniture and stock, and Mr Card saved a email portion of his stock. Mr Hustwiok’s stock was all removed, but suffered considerable damage. Following are the insurances as far as known : —G. C. Beckett (Times), £2OO in the Royal, £2OO in the North German. HU estimated loss above this, £IOOO. Howard’s stock £350 in the London and Lancashire, estimated loss £SOO. Hustwick, £2OO on stock in the North German ; Winstanley, fruiterer (not damaged), £IOO on stock-in-trade in the London and Lancashire ; Smale and Hay, stock £SOO in the New Zealand, £SOO in the National, £SOO in the Standard, £250 in the North German, £250 in the Phcenix. No damage was done by the tiro or water, but considerable by removal. As to the buildings they principally belong to the Blick estate, and are likely to be insured In tbe Phoenix or North German offices. Blenheim, April 17.

He the late fire, nothing is known of the origin. Mr E. O’H. Caaavau, editor of the Marlborough Times, was absent for the day in Pioton, and the statements of the foreman and other employes throw no light on tbe cause of tbe disaster. Mr Beckett, the proprietor, who has lost everything, will start again, and the Times will probably bo issued on Tuesday next. Spontaneous offers of support and sympathy have been received by him from all parts of the district, including money promises and every form of assistance.