FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 27

FIRES.

GREYMOUTH, Match 31. A disastrous fire occurred at Runanga early on Saturday morning, when the Cooperative Company's fine building, together with a large stock, was destroyed, nothing being saved. It is surmised that the fire originated in a chimney near the bakehouse. It was discovered by a baker. There were no fire appliances. For a time it seemed certain that M'Oonnell's drapery store and Magee's private house- would be destroyed, Iju.. willing hands constantly saturated blankets with water, and thus the danger was averted Luckily there was no wind, otherwise more damage would have been done. The insurances are:—On the Co-operative Company's stock, £1450; buildings, £350. The safe of the company came through the fire intact. The books were found to l>e sliq-htly charred, but it is expected that they will be decipherable. TWO SERIOUS OUTBREAKS. WAIROA, March 28. A disastrous fire occurred on the Marino parade at, 12.45 this morning, Mr OorkiU's new two-storied building, occupied as the Borough Council Chambers and by Mr Bax. fruiterer and auctioneer, being destroyed, as well as a cottage at the rear, owned by Mr Corkill and occupied by Mr M'Kcmzio, p.nd Wilkilns's bicycle depot, owned by Mr J. I'owdrell. The fire started in Mr Bax's office-. As there wore no firofinhiinK appliances at hand, the fire burned itself practically out. Starting fiercely, it soon attacked the cottajre at the rear, then Wilkins's premises, and was only stopp-d by the brick wall of the Bank of New Zealand on the one side and by :i ferro-con-crete building en tho other. The Borough Council has "lost all its records, while the winners at the late A. and P. show have lost about £l5O worth of prizes. The insurances total £IOOO. GORE, March 28. Fire at 2 o'clock this morning at Fleming and Co.'s flourmill threatened to be serious, but tho excellent work of the brigade prevented it from spreading, and only a portion of the null was destroyed—a two-storey wooden buildinar, built by Bastings, Lea.rv. and Co. in ]B7B. The fire was confined to this, and the large brick buildings erected

some years ago were saved. The building destroyed was insured for £4OO. A small four-roomed cottage, occupied by Mas Pctterson, in the same section, was also doshoyed. About 69 yards of electrio cables were destroyed. a,rid the bulk of the town is without light and power to-dav. The repairs to this will cost nearlv £IOO. GORE, March 30. The insurances on Firming and Oo.'s flour mill, where a fire occurred on Thursday morning, total £12,000. The damage is estimated at £1672.