DISASTROUS FIRE.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 8 June 1897, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE.

MESSRS NEWMAN BROS’ PREMISES COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

About 4.30 o’clock on Sunday morning the town was aroused by an alarm of fire, when it was found that Messrs Newman Bros’ premises were all ablaze. Mr W. W. Middleton was aroused by a sound like the report of a gun, aud on getting up to see what was the cause of the noise discovered the fire. He at once woke up all those sleeping in the hotel, aud with % the dinner gong sounded the alarm. Very soon a large number of people had assembled but it was at once seen that the fire had too strong a hold on the premises to do much towards saving them, as the flames were rushing out both front windows and the front shop was one huge flame. As nothing could be done to save these premises all efforts were then put forward to save the adjoining buildings. Mr John Stewart took charge aud organised a bucket brigade with a view to saving Stitt and Millers’ premises which were on the lee side of Newman Bros’ premises, the wind, of which fortunately there was very little, being from the westward. J. J. Ross and F. Martin got up on Stitt and Millers’ roof and by means of buckets and ropes kept a supply of water poured on the roof from which it ran down the side of the building and saved it. Ross and Martin stuck to their post on the roof manfully although the heat must have been intense and all the other volunteers with buckets worked splendidly. Stitt aud Millers’ stock was all removed out into the street to a safe distance, but a considerable amount of damage was done to it by removal. A scare was raised among the people assembled when it became known that there was some blasting powder stored in Newman Bros which the fire had not yet reached, and a good number moved away to what they considered a safe distance, but those forming the bucket brigade, under Mr Stewart, stuck to their posts, as also a number who were endeavoring to save goods out of Newman’s wholesale store which was situated at the back of, but joined to the retail store which was all in flames. They had succeeded in removing the kerosene and oils which were stored in the back premises and and which were a great source of danger for spreading the fire had they not been removed. When the fire reached the powder a tremendous explosion took place sending sheets ot iron, burning rafters, and other missiles all amongst the workers. About twenty men were knocked down by the explosion and several more or less hurt. Fred Martin was b'own off the roof of Stitt and Millers’ premises, aud in the fall got his ankle very badly sprained, and his arm and head badly bruised, J. J. Ross who was also on the roof got struck on the head by a sheet of iron which cut through his hat and cut bis forehead, but he succeeded in keeping his place on the roof. J. Stewart who was working at the pump in Newman’s yard, was knocked down and had bis leg badly bruised, as well as netting a nasty cut on the back.of the head from some flying glass. Walter Mann, who was working with Mr Stewart, was knocked down, and got very badly cut by flying glass. One piece struck him on the ear, splitting it, and sinking about an inch into the back of bis head, and be was otherwise badly cut by splintered glass. Several others, who were knocked down by the explosion, were more or leas injured. Mr J. Feaver’s premises were fairly wrecked by the explosion, hardly a bottle being left intact. His premises were also on fire three times but a timely supply of water put it out otherwise the whole of the block must have gone. The windows in Feaver’s shop, Davies’, Cummins’, Stitt and Miller’s, Middleton’s Hotel, Times Office, Rogers', Bank premises, Pettigrew’s and Scott’s auction mart were all wrecked. Burning rafters were shot on to the adjoining roofs, but willing hands soon removed them, and the fire was confined to Newman’s. The upper end of the town, when daylight appeared, presented a vety deplorable appearance, all the windows having to be closed in with calico. Messrs Newman Bros, estimate their loss at about £2500, £ISOO of which is covered by insurance in the Northern Office. Messrs Stitt and Miller estimate their loss at £250, and are insured in the North German (£200) and Royal (£250), and Mr Feaver estimates his loss at £l5O, and is insured in the Phoenix for £2OO. As to the origin of the fire nothing at present is known, as Mr Newman left his place, in company with Mr Oallendar between 10 and 11 o’clock, apparently quite secure. Information has leaked out which points to the premises having been burglariously entered, but we are not in a position to give further information at present.