FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18509, 21 March 1922, Page 4

FIRES.

BIG BLAZE IN WELLINGTON. HEAVY DAMAGE DONE (Pis Uhjtkd Paras Association.) WELLINGTON, March 20. A disastrous fire occurred at Porima early this morning. It ’originated in a building used as a store and dwelling occupied by Thomas Dick, and spread on both sides, causing considerable damage. Dick, his wife, and family were away at die time the alarm was given. Residents turned out in large numbers, and water was obtained from a creek near by; but the fire spread to a bakehouse and tearoom on one side, and to a.bootmaker’s shop and dwelling on the other. The fire-fighters concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings and the Porirua Hotel It was only through their efforts that the hotel and stables alongside were saved. . The store and bakehouse were owned by Mrs Season, of Titahi Bay; and the hall, bootmaker’s shop and dwelling (all of which were totally destroyed) were owned by Mrs Oughty. The hotel which was badly scorched was the property of the Sullivan estate. The insurances amounted to about £ISOO. The telegraph wires were burnt through and for eight hours Wellington was cut off from Wanganui, Palmerston North, and Auckland. HASTINGS OUTBREAKS. ANOTHER SUSPECT ARRESTED. HASTINGS, March 20. A youth, James Normal Percival Logan, aged 18, appeared in court this morning charged with setting fire to a building, the property of White and Co.,"coal merchants, one of the series of suspicious fires here, and was remanded. It is understood that the perpetrator of the Station street outs break has also been located. THREE SHOPS DESTROYED. DAMAGE OVER £BOOO. GISBORNE March 20. A fire at Ruatorea destroyed three shops occupied by Kirk Bros, and Hunter and Johnstone. The damage is estimated at over £BOOO.