FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 56

FIRES.

CHRISTCHUROir, December 7. Shortly before 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon columns of dense black smoke t66uing from a portion of Messrs' Whitcombe and . Tombs'6 building in Cashed itreet indicated the existence of 'an outbreak of fire. Leads of hose •wore soon playing- on the fire, which had broken out tn a workroom at the rear of the pliop occupied by Madame Poppy, milliner. When tho brigade arrived the interior of the

workroom was a mass of flames, but with a plentiful supply of water the flames were got under and were prevented from spreading beyond the This portion of the building was completely gutted, and its contents were destroyed. The fire did not spread to any other portion of the block. It is not known how the fire started. The showroom and workroom staffs left the premises at 1 p.m. for the half-holiday, and ■ill appeared safe. Madame Poppy’s stock, which was valued at £2200, was insured for £IOOO in the South British Office and for

£SOO in the Royal Office. Tlio building belongs to Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. INVERCARGILL, December 7. Fire occurred late on Saturday night, in Messrs Donaldson and Walker’s iron foundry, Clyde street. The outbreak originated in the' office and spread to the pattern store in the upper part of the building. An estimate of the damage, and the insurances are not available.