BIG CITY BLAZE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 35

BIG CITY BLAZE.

MORITZSON’S BUILDING DAMAGED. SEVERAL FIRMS AFFECTED. Extensive damage by fire was caused to Moritzson’s building, situated at the comer of Bond and Jetty streets, at an early hour on Sunday morning. Several firms who occupy the building will be heavy losers, as the direct result of damage caused by lire and water. The firms affected are Messrs Steel and Co., clothing manufacturers; H. E. Partridge and Co. (Ltd.), tobacco merchants (representing Messrs W. D. and H. O. Wills, Ltd.); and J. Ainge and Co., wine and spirit merchants. The fir® had such a strong hold when discovered that, despite the heroic work of almost the whole of the city’s fire-fighting forces, the top portion of the building was completely gutted, while the whole of the contents were reduced to cinders. The fire was one of the most serious experienced in the city for some time past, and although the stocks carried by the threo firms are insured they are heavy losers. ' Shortly after 7 am. dense volumes of smoke were seen issuing from the roof of the building, and the alarm was immediately sent to brigade headquarters. Ihe call was received at 7.22 a.m., and Nos. 1 and 7 machines and the electric extension were despatched to the scene. When the brigadesmen arrived within a minute or two of receiving the summons, the flames were belching through the top storey windows in Jetty street, and through the two end windows in Bond street. 'V »th each succeeding moment the flames and smoke gained in intensity, and before the first line of hose was in action tongues of flame were shooting skywards. Superintendent A. G. Napier and Deputysuperintendent J. J. Salmon were m charge. The superintendent, realising the serious nature of ihe outbreak, ordered two lines ot hose to be taken to the top storey by way of the staircase in Jetty street. A lme ol hose was also taken from Bond street and the water played through the top windows. This had the etfect of keeping the flames in check until the electric ladder iva« placed in position in Bond street andl • line of hose taken to the top storey, the ■water being sprayed on the flames through a window. A fourth line of hose was then taken up the fire escape in Jetty Street, and with a goon pressure of »a er the flames were quickly brought under <C> Wheii it was seen that the fire threatened to extend after the Lit} Brigade arrived, the South Dunedin sectioif of the brigade was called into the city, and the machine, with a full ciew was quickly in action, and assisted m the work of extinguishing the outbreak. The inflammable material ot Messrs Steel and Co.’s stock burned qmekly and the heat was fierce for some time. Uje firemen kept to their task and slowly but surely gamed the tinner J »J S * however, was not accomplish; before the whole of the top storey and its contents were practically totally destroyed. ■ The fire ate its way downwards, and the ceiling above Messrs Wills store room was burned through, leaving large gaping holes in several places. F r actually no damage was done to this firms stock by fire, but the use of such large quantities of water, which could not be avoided, resulted in considerable damage being done to all kinds of goods. A large quantity of water also went through to the firms lionded store underneath. It will be impossible to estimate the damage to the tobacco goods in bond until the eases have been opened. , , . , . Messrs Ainge and Co. s bonded store in the basement also suffered considerable damage through the volume of water which flowed from the top storey. As a result of the fine work of the brigade, the fire was completely under control in less than an hour, although a squad of fireman was kept busy fer several hours afterwards in damping down the smouldering ruins on the demolished top storey. A good water supply was available. and it was due to this and also the excellent work of the brigade that the fire was so quickly subdued. , Considering the strong hold which the flames had. the brigade effected a remarkably good save. The seat of the outbreak appeared to be in the centre of the top storey, as it was here that the flames raged so fiercely. The tire had evidently been smouldering all Saturday night, and had practically spread over the whole of the top floor before the flames and smoke burst through the roof and windows. The scene on the top storey is one of almost complete destruction. Almost the whole of the contents have been reduced to ashes and debris. Messrs Steel and Co. carried a large stock of clothing. Hundreds of overcoats and suits of clothes in a completed state were burned to such an extent that only a few charred ends remain. Some heavy rolls of cloth escaped total destruction, but most of them were badly damaged. Machines, benches, and fittings are now a confused, twisted mass. There is ver> little left of the roof, rafters, supports, and everything being burned through. The whole interior of the top storey is a complete wreck. Messrs Steel and Co.’s employees left the premises at 11.40 a.m on Saturday. The manager left about five minutes later, and everything then appeared to be safe, there being no sign of fire. The manager stated yesterday that he turned off all the electric power before locking up the premises. It is therefore surmised that the outbreak was caused through the fusing of an electrio wire. The fire will prove unfortunate for Messrs Steel and Co., os the firm was busy executing large winter orders. The destruction of the premises mean that between 40 and 50 employees, mostly girls, will be out of employment. The building, which occupies a largo portion of th** space between the Grand .Picture Theatre and the corner of Jetty and Bond streets, is an old one. It has throe stories, and is very strongly built. It} ha» been the scene of several outbreaks. A serious fire occurred there nearly 12 months ago, in Messrs W. D. and 11. 0. Wills’s store room, considerable damago being done by fire and water. The building, which is owned by Mr Adolph Moritason, who is absent from New Zealand, is insured with the Australian Provincial Assurance Association (Ltd.), but the amount was not available yesterday. The amount of insurance on Maam WilU’» Mock m »I»o not avaiUblo,

Messrs J. A. Ainge and Co.‘s stock of wine and spirits is a valuable one, and is insured for about £SOOO with the Guardian office. It will be impossible to estimate the loss and actual damage until the goods are opened lip. Messrs Steel and Co.’s stock, fittings, and plant are insured for £3OOO with the Sun Office.