DISASTROUS FIRE AT COLLINGWOOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13136, 21 November 1904, Page 3 (Supplement)

DISASTROUS FIRE AT COLLINGWOOD.

NELSON, November 7. A telegram received to-day states that the major portion of tho village of Collingwood was burnt down last night, including stores, hotel, etc. Only three or four houses on the. bcach wore saved, practically the whole town having been burnt down, tho Dro starting at Stallard's bakehouse. Telegraphic communication has been interrupted owing to tho destruction of the post and telegraph office. A temporary office has boon opened at Parapara, whence spceial messengers aro running to tho scene of the conflagration. All tho residents were engaged in ' tho roscue of what was possible. Just before + o'clock a heavy rain, with blinding squalls, came on, but had very litllo effort 011 the progress of the fire.

Twenty business planes were destroyed, including both hotels (Prussing's and Pinkerton's), the post and telegraph office, Allan's Golden Bay Argus office and dwelling, Allan's general store and dwelling, E. T. Kelly's store, J. Kirk's saddler's shop, J. A. Miles's boot shop and dwelling, Stallard's boarding-houso anil bakery, liargreavo's butchery and large new dwelling in course of erection, R. Ellis's dwelling and shop, the Collingwood Public Hall, Riley's' new boarding-house, of 20 rooms, which was just completed, Davies's boarding-house, Prussing's cottage and sample room, and many other outbuildings, stables, storerooms, etc.

Further details of tlm Collingwood fire show that tho fire broke, out in Stallard's bakery. A strong westerly wind blew the flames to Rait's general store in front. It was soon apparent that, the whole business part of the town was doomed. The large dwelling of G. 11. Allan and Stallard's hoarding-house were soon afire, and shortly the (laines spread across the street, first igniting the post office, then Cottier's boot shop, and then Pinkcrton's Hotel. At 2 a.m. the sight was appalling. The galo lashed the flames into a fury. Great masses of fire and smoke wero carried seaward, lighting up tho country for a great distance. All the resident? engaged in the rescue of what was possible, .lust before 4 o'clock heavy rain, with blinding squalls, camo on, but had very little cffect 011 the progress of the fire. Towards daylight, and before the firefighters had relaxed their efforts to save the valuable property, rain spoilt what they had saved from the. fire. This morning the town was a blackened heap of smoking refuse, and not .a solitary building was left fronting tho Main street. Almost superhuman efforts saved several dwellings on the bcach, whither the high wind carried the flames and sparks. Among the chief workers was Mr King, Government Auditor, who saved F. West's dwell-, ing and oflicc. The only business placo left standing is W. C. Riley and Co.'s store in William street. Many residents had narrow escapes, but 110 serious accident occurred. There is not a vestigo of tho Golden Bay Argus plant left. The following are tho insurances on tlio Collingwood fire: — Norwich Union: On G. Allan's dwelling uid printing office and contents, £160; Prussing's Hotel and contents, £600; Stallard's boarding-house and contents, £400; Hargreaves's dwelling, butcher's shop, and contents, £300; Ellis's dwelling, £200; Pinkerton's Hotel, £250.

North Queensland: G. Allan's dwelling and furniture, £450.

Liverpool and London and Globe: Rail's dwellings and stock in shop, £1000, and stock in store, £200; P. Stallard's shop, £300; Cottier's dwelling, £100.

Australian Alliance: J. A. Miles's stock and buildings, £675; Pinkerton's stock and buildings, £1350; J. Kirk's stock, £200; Vi T . I'russing's cottage, furniture, ctc., £225; .T. M. Davics's shop, store, and boardinghouse, £350.

South British: P. Hunter's furniture, £190; J. Kirk's buildintr, £50, and stock, £500: Public Hall, £300: J. A. Miles's building. £200; (3. W. lliloy's boardinghouse, £500.

Sun Oflleo: I'russing's Hotel, £1000: Cottier's shun and dwelling, £150; 11. Allan's dwelling, £150.

R T. Itiloy's store was insured in tho NorHiorn ollico, but tins amount is not obtainable hero. Omitting that, the totals are: — Norwich Union, £2210; North Queensland, £150; Liverpool and London and Globe, £1000: Australian Alliance, £3200; Soiiih British, £1740; Sun, £1300; —insking a grand total of £12,500. Twenty-ono years ago a large portion of (1m; fown.-Jiij) was burned down, and many of the present sufferors were burnt- out then. The Mayor of Nelson has telegraphed bis sympathy, and offers of pecuniary assistance have been made.