FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21543, 15 January 1932, Page 8

FIRES

SERIOUS OUTBREAK AT WHANGAREI (Per United Press Association.) WHANGAREI, January 14. Never since the great fire which swept the town centre of Whangarei about 30 years ago has such a conflagration raged here as the one which broke just before 7 o’clock to-night, involving one of the most important business blocks in the heart of the town, and located at the base of Bank street, near its junction with Cameron street. The fire originated in the back portion of the Farmers’ Union Trading Company’s large general merchandise premises, which are constructed of brick and concrete, with three storeys at the back and two in the front. The brigade was quickly on the scene, at which stage the fire was visible through the window of the basement. Though the brigade attacked the outbreak from three sides of the building with a moderate water pressure, the flames quickly spread through the interior, billows of smoke issuing from the eastern windows.

At 7.10 p.m. a member of the firm’s staff rushed in and removed a box of explosives. Five minutes later flames were visible on the top floor, and shortly before 8 o’clock the whole structure was an inferno, with flames issuing from every aperture and from the roof. The adjoining buildings on either side —Hosking’s drapery emporium, Chaplin (tobacconist), and East (fruiterer) were also well alight by this time. The walls of the Farmers’ premises collapsed at 8.10 o’clock, and those of Hosking’s shop ten minutes later. Other occupiers of shops in the vicinity removed a portion of their stocks, the remainder being damaged by smoke and water. The scene presented a remarkable spectacle, visible for many miles. The loss, which cannot yet be ascertained, will be enormous. Telephone and telegraphic services to the north are largely disorganised. The outbreak was well under control at 9 o’clock.

OUTBREAK IN BOARDING HOUSE. An outbreak of fire occurred in a largo wooden building at 3 Regent road a few minutes after 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. One bedroom was damaged by fire and the rest of the house by smoke. The contents of the pantry were destroyed. The house, which is owned by Mrs Lang and occupied by Mrs M'Dowell, is used as a boarding house. Particulars of the insurances were not available last night.