FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 13

FIRES IN ASHBURTON.

ASHBURTON, December 29. Another disastrous fire occurred on Saturday night, when the drapery establishment of Robert Alcorn was completely destroyed. The" building was an old wooden one, of two storeys, situated in Havelock street, and was soon a mass of flames. The alarm was given about five minutes past 10. Mr Alcorn had locked up at 9.45, and although the brigade was early on the scene and worked hard, it could do little to check the progress of the flames with its inadequate appliances — an engine which takes 15 minutes to get up 6team and an insufficient water supply. Fortunately the 1 night, was calm, with no wind blowing, otherwise a number of wooden buildings in the vicinity, including the courthouse, might have also been destroyed. The destruction of the building, which belongs to Mr John Baker, and the stock was complete in less than an hour, so furious did the fire burn. The brigade did good service in saving an adjoining brick building, also owned by Mr John Baker «ftd occupied by Mr F. Ferriman, land and estate agent. Mr Ferriman's loss, which ff&s mostly by water, is small. The; insurance on Mr Alcorn's drapery stock was £1800, in the Standard office. Up to a month ago the insurance was•£2ooo. but a £200 policy was allowed to (-lapse owing to the stock being reduced. !' Mr Alcorn estimates his loss at £1000 over the insurance. The wooden building, wnich was completely destroyed, was insured in the South British office for £300. |- -To-day, at 1 o'clock, the firebell -again rang out. This time the fire was located in the Borough Council's implement shed, which is situated immediately at the rear of the • Fire Brigade Station. Although the brigade was on the scene at once the ' shed was completely destroyed, aleo three drays belonging to the council. It is understood that the $hed and contents were insured, but the amount is not available. There is no clue as to the origin of the fires, but there is an uneasy feeling in the community, as during the last month there have been seven fires. It may be mentioned**^*!*' a scheme for a high-pressure water supply was defeated at a poll taken on October 13-