A SERIOUS FIRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21544, 16 January 1932, Page 17

A SERIOUS FIRE

HEAVY LOSS IN WHANGAREI. (Per United Press Association.) WHANGAREI, January 15. As the outcome of the fire of Thursday night a wide'breach has been made right through an important, comparatively new trading block in the heart of the town. Four premises were completely demolished, the most notable being those of the Farmers’ Union Trading Company (general providers) and R. G. Hosking’s extensive drapery emporium. Other structures destroyed were those of C. R. Caplin (tobacconist), H. Wilkinson (confectioners), and the Whangarei Racing Club office (ajl the contents saved). The stocks of East and M’Kinnon (both fruiterers), immediately north and south respectively, were utterly spoiled by the hqat, smoke, and water. The contents of three shops in Cameron street-—Bur-foot (chemist), M'Kinnon (marble bar, tea rooms), and another drapery shop, also owned by Hosking, were damaged by smoke and water. It being the half holiday here, it -is probable that smouldering had been going on for several hours until smoke was observed proceedings from the rear of the Farmers’ property just before 7 o’clock. Though the volume of smoke increased enormously, due to the interior burning, nearly an hour elapsed before flames burst out from all parts of the building. The Hosking property and other premises, which were demolished, were speedily involved in a spectacular blaze. A light north-westerly wind carried showers of sparks a long distance, but no other ill consequences ensued therefrom.,. The fire brigade, reinforced by exmembers, used every available appliance and performed prodigies of risky endeavour. It is estimated that the total loss is in the vicinity of £40,000.