Fire in Wellington.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 135, 18 October 1895, Page 2

Fire in Wellington.

A MAN MISSING. A destructive fire broke out on Tuesday morning about 10 o’clock in a block extending from Mercer Street to Old Custom House Street on the eastern side of Willis Street. The fire originated in John Smith’s Victorian Restaurant, which was gutted, and spread to Londan’s hairdressing saloon on the southern side, and Smith’s fishmongery, and Rash, jeweller, on the northern side. The saloon and fishmonger’s shop were gutted, and the upstairs portion of the jeweller’s shop sustained some damage by fire. The furniture and effects in the restaurant were destroyed, and the stock in the saloon damaged by water. A tailoring company over the fishmonger’s shop saved a little stock, but suffer a good deal of loss. Rash suffers a considerable loss owing to water getting amongst the jewellery. The Weekly Herald adjoining the saloon v;as damaged by water. The fire originated in a bedroom upstairs in the restaurant, which was occupied the night before the fire by a man unknown, and as he cannot be found a rumor is current that he perished in the flames. A search has been made for the remains, but without success. Nothing is known so far as to the whereabouts of the man. Insurances are unknown.