GRAIN STORE GUTTED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 9

GRAIN STORE GUTTED.

FIRE AT KELSO

GORE, April 23

Wright, Stephenson, and Co.'s large oorrugated iron grain store at Kelso was burned to the ground at 8 a.m. to-d'ay. The fire is supposed to have originated in the engine-room, where an oil engine was installed, hut the cause is a mystery. A rough estimate places the damage at between £IO,OOO and £12.000, including the loss of some 10,000 sacks of grain, merchandise, etc. Practically nothing was saved. The railway station, s wooden building, which lies alongside, was saved by the united efforts of the stationmaster and the men, though it caught fire on several occasions. The insurances on the store are not obtainable so far. Inquiry at the Railway Department, Invercargill, shows that the damage done to the railway and postal building—the two departments bein<* run together at Kelso—was verv slight, beinp- not more than about £5. The store was some distance f->x>m the railway Nation, but, being a big structure, would produce a considerable heat, which inflicted the damage mentioned. Though full advio?s have not been received'' in Dunedin by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., it is thought that the estimates of the damage done are somewhat liberal. It is known, however, that exceptionally heavy supplies of grain have been coming forward of late, but despite that feet it is thought the loss will hardly reach the figure mentioned. The firm 'carried! portion of the insurance itself.