DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Opunake Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2002, 3 October 1913, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

HALF BUSINESS PORTION OP TOWN DESTROYED.

HEAVY LOSSES.

About midnight on Wednesday a fire broke out in Gibb’s Hotel, the fire originating in the rear portion of the building, attached to the kitchen, and used as a linen press room. The fire was noticed before it had got a strong hold and the alarm quickly raised. It is near the spot where the hot-air water pomp is situated, and the smoke prevented the use of this excellent source of water supply. Those who were early on the scene said if water and buckets had been .immediately available' they had a good chance of fighting the fire, but a strong Westerly wind was blowing which fanned the fire into a strong blaze. The wind and the place of the fire outbreak were set in unison—the large building was tackled at the rear, and the wind being high, one can easily imagine, with primitiys fire fighting appliances and a scarcity of water, what chances there were in stemming the roaring furnace. At theiime of the fire a social was being held in the Town Hall, the smoke giving them the first intimation that Opunake was on fire. A hurried exit was made-a stampede in a.small the scene. The. fire bell clanged vigorously, and already people were on the scene removing furniture, ; etc., from ‘the hotel. There was ample time for many of those burnt out to have got a lot of goods out of their shops, but they concentrated their efforts in putting up barriers; by way*of irpn sheets nailed to buildings immediately near the fire. The flames from the hotel leaped aud licked viciously, and men with buckets of water worked like Trojans, doing their utmost to fight the fire, for every man likes to defeat a demon.

Wateon's boarding house, directly opposite, had no possible chance of escape, and the dwellers therein had visited the first place of outbreak and had to hurry to save their own furniture. The heat was intense and the ignition ot Watson’s was the signal for the business people to look to their own shops and remove their goods to a place of safety. The trouble wag? where to remove to a safe place, as the flames wer# roaring fiercely and timbers crackling. People loaded with goods salvaged from the fire where placing them, indiscriminately, and in places where they thought was secure, but which, in many cases, proved otherwise. The thick smoke with tongues' of fire reared upwards and was carried by the winds overhead. When the wood burnt fiercely the smoke lowered and cleared rescuers from the opposite buildings. ■ , From. Watson’s premises the fire quickly, demolished Jackson’s office, and had a hold of Holmes and-Ar* thur’s premises. By this time it was impossible to save a tithe of the goods as the fire flanked both sides of the street. The Loan and M.A. Company's buildings and Mildenhall’s premises were demanded by the raging elements. From the latter place saddles and. harness were removed, but not taken far enough away from destruction, as they were, destroyed when Heath's premises went by the same source. Burton’s concrete wall was the only salvation looked for on Middleton’s Hotel side of the town, and sheets of’ iron were nailed on to the verandah, buckets of water continually douching them. On the other side of the street the fire continued to the Bank of N.Z.; premises, where another game effort was put up by the people, and, as the wind was blowing athwart of Heath’s, the fire siddled off towards what is known as Stewart’s old saleyards. The stoppage of the fire at. the Bank was a miraculous escape. l The fence and building had ignited, bat the workers defeated the fire, and when they saw signs of victory, they worked as if it was now or never for the remainder of the town. The furniture and effects were removed from the buildings. On the opposite side Mildenhall’s was in embers, and Jndson’s, Oannell’s, Dudley’s and Mrs Niohol’s had to go—the only hope was concentration on Burton's concrete building, which, with aid from the workers by ; the use of gelignite on Niohol’s premises and the lowering of verandahs by the axe, and the erection of corrugated iron screens would save the rest of the buildings remaining in the line of fire. For some two solid hours the blazing heat was intense, and relief* came at the points above mentioned. 1 The places destroyed were Gibb’s Hotel (Middleton’s) ' Loan and M.A. Co. in which is

Mr Marshall's office (solicitor). Mildenhall (saddler) Oannell (stationer and fancy goods) W. Aitken (blacksmith) Dndley (batcher’s shop) Mrs Niohol (tea rooms). On the other side of the street:— Watson (dining rooms) Jackson (land agent, etc) Holmes and Arthur (store and drapery) Wallaoh (tinsmith) Heath (farniture warehouse)' The fire came at a very inopportune time, as a number of the owners had just received their first consignment of goods tor the Christmas trade. Practically it is a total loss to all the tradesmen burned out, and in some oases a very severe one, as they have lost their tools of trade, such as Messrs Heath and Mildenhall. The stores destroyed saved nothing worth mentioning, and they all carried heavy stocks. The Loan and M.A Coy. saved a number of bags of seed, but these were subsequently ignited and severely damaged, as they were placed within the fire zone, as also was a quantity of saddlery salvaged from Mildenhall’s.

Some of the iumates of Iha hotel had to make a hurried exit as they were all abed. A warning note was sounded and a cool head, in all oases, was out of the question. * The cook, who slept over the fire outbreak sent his belongings through the window and himself followed immediately afterwards, landing on the footpath, wallop, none the worse for his aerial fl'ght. . . ~ It was wonderful how quickly as sistanoe came to the hotel to carry out bottled contents and what was saved seemed to have been carried to a safe distance by the rescuers. The fire engine was got out but it was badly handled and of little use, and played a comic part in the dim tragedy by perishing in the flames, the fire between Holmes and Arthur and Heath’s cindering up it and the pump handle to uselessness. The heat told its own tale by exposing tbe bare wireing that is encased in the suction hose, running down to the water’s edge in the well, a distance of nigh 40 feet. v On the morning after the fire the town presented a sorry spectacle. Bared in ashes, smoke giving off whiffs of burnt leather, mattrasses, contents of tinned preserves and liquid elixir ; telephone wires down and broken ; chimneys with a sepulchral appearance standing sentinel midst destruction. Here and there the small reserve of coal was burning fiercely. It was a cursed sight for Opunake people to look on. The most calamitous fire in the ; history of many calamities from blazes that have befallen Opunake. The building tenanted by Watson has been tabooed by fire insurance companies for many years, has at last suoonmbed, but not of its own accord. It was surprising how gamely the old old building stood against the fierce heat from the' almost overlapping flames. The timbers were good and stood out remarkably well. Nothing was removed from Oannell’s stationery shop except a few fittings and trade books. Some important papers belonging to the Oemetery Board were destroyed. Several minor accidents occurred in the way of knocks and outs to individuals'. The hewing down of verandah posts and wrestling with sheets of iron was fraught with many narrqw escapes. In one instance the axe slipped and landed on another worker, Mr Looney’s face, leaving a nasty out, which was promptly attended to by Dr Barron. A number otinmates in the hotel lost personal valuables, forgetting at the time being that they possessed snoh like belongings. 9 It seemed strange, now, when ih our normal and collective mood, that more stock was not salvaged. The last trades people in the line of fire verily believed the fire would be beaten off before it reached their premises. Hence it is tbe losses to the tradesmen are quite as heavy as if the fire had' broken out in the individual premises. On the lee side of the fire and on the opposite side to is Mr J. Feaver’s chemist shop. It had a very warm time, the beat smashed the windows and scorched the frontage

Much sympathy is felt for the tradesmen who have sustained losses and had their trades disjointed, and at a time when the busy season is in the beginning. The Loan ahd M.A. Ooy. have twice been burnt ont since commencing business in Opunake. Each time good seed has been scorched and scattered. •

Holmes and Arthur did not allow any lapsing of business. The carts were out for orders and special orders were sent to the merchants. The Loan and M.A Ooy. have taken temporary premises in the Foresters* Hall.

It is reported that the landlords will rebuild as soon as the necessary formalities are cleared off. Mr F. Butterworth, lessee of the billiard room in Middleton’s Hotel, is also a loser to the extent of £4O or £SO, over what was saved, in room furniture.

Mr Wallacb, who suffered a loss in the last big fire, is also among the losers in this fire. Ho had a workshop in the old bakehouse at the rear of Holmes and Arthur. The workshop is also numbered in the total looses. .

From the Vulcan buildings a< good deal of iron, and stock in trade, such as hammers, anvil, bellows and odds and ends were saved.

The buildings destroyed are owned as follows: Middleton’s Hotel, which also includes the Loan and M.A. Ooy’s office and Mr Marshall’s office, is owned by Mr Gibbs Vulcan Buildings, which includes Messrs Mildenhall, Oannell ' and W. Aitken’s businesses is owned by Mr Donald McGregor, Watino Road. Dudley’s butchery premises and Mrs Nioholls’ tea rooms is owned by Mr Breach, of Hawera . The buildings leased by Messrs Watson and Jackson is owned by Mrs Espagne, of Hawera Holmes and Arthur’s premises was owned by Mr 0. Jeffries, Oaonui. Heath’s furniture shop is owned by Mr W. 0 Dudley, of Opunake.

Strange it was that both bachelors' dwellings were saved from destruction Mr Libeau's “ mansion ” is only a few feet from the rear of Holmes and Arthur's shop, but destruction eased off it and the stables. Mr Libeau’s farniture—a black frying pan, a half tin of preserved milk and a euphonium were removed to a place of safety. In the other instance, Mr Epping’s domicile was warmed up; sheets of iron were nailed oyer the windows, and despite the fact that the furniture, the broom and the paint brushes were taken out the fire soon after* wards ceased.

The postal authorities quickly got to work and linesmen were at Opunake by 11 a.m. effecting damaged repairs to the telephone and telegraphic lines.

The banging ftfc the front doors of the hotel took ap Rome time before a thorough rousing of the inmates to their perilous position was obtained. Several persons shinned up the front verandah postSi and one man returned with another manly form (who was full of smoke) over his shoulders and then slid down the same monkey pole with his “ package.” Just like the hero, you see in a kinematograph picture. v The new draper, Mr Oornish, had hia houaehoM goods removed and took particular care of a flower pot that he intended for exhibition at the next Horticultural Show.

The want of a system in salvaging goods was sorely needed. People with axes bashing here and there, others with timber breaking windows showed recklessness of tha crowd system. The removal of goods, in one instance, was being done orderly by the back door. Good intentioned people burst open the front doors and broke the windows letting in volumes of smoke which quickly dismissed rescuing operations, The dumping ol goods indiscriminately, proved disastrous in many oases as the fire came'along and destroyed the good work done by the rescuers.

• MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY.

Exceedingly regret to hear of great destruction and loss occasioned by the disastrous fir's on Wednesdav night. Sincerely hope that all who have suffered loss will .boldly face the position and that Opunake will rise Phoenix like from the ashes. The prospects of town and district for advancement were never better. 0. A. WmxnisoN.

My sympathy over disastrous fire with sufferers in particular, Opunake in general E. O’Mkabx.

The long lean chimneys that looked a menaoe to public safety were pulled down by means of a long tope in the hands of many stalwart . pallets. Frequently the tuggers sprawled on the earth when a slip was made or success achieved.

A large number of country people hurried into Opunake to view the devastation and all seemed impressed With the vastness of the destruction. J Opunake for some time to come will look sombre at night. The best lighted and busiest part of the town has been scorched out, and until new buildings are erected the town will be enveloped in the shadow of the repent disaster.

INSURANCES. The following are the insurances: G. Gibbs: Buildings, £2OOO ; stock and furniture £1760; personal effects, £160; Northern Insurance Company. Mr D. McGregor: Buildings, £4OO, South British.

T. J. Miidenhall, stock and tools; £BOO, South British K. Oannell, stock, £BOO, Sooth British

j. Jodson, stock, £6O ; Royal S. Breach, tea rooms, building, £l6O ; South British. Mrs Nioh'olls, stock, £26, State Office.

Dudley, building, not available Heath, building (Mr Dudley) insurance not available; on stock, £IOO, Northern Office | furniture, £76, Northern Office ; tools, £B3, Northern Office.

Holmes and Arthur ; Stock, £IQOO, National Office ; building (0. Jeffries) insurance not available

The Loan Ooy's insurance on stock is not available No insurances on Mrs Espagne’s buildings, nor on Watson’s or Jack son’s effects, nor on W tllaoh's tools.