FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 53

FIRES.

CAMBRIDGE, July 5. Following Thursday night’s disastrous fire, when the Fanners Auctioneering Company’s premises were totally destroyed and portion of the Central Hotel gutted, a further serious outbreak occurred on Saturday about 9 p.m., when the Central Hotel was discovered in flames. The brigade arrived promptly, and found the flames bursting through the windows of the upper storey, and spreading rapidly over the whole front. With five leads of hose the brigade did magnificent work, though handicapped by the low pressure, and the fire was confined largely to the upper storey, which was practically burned out. As a result of falling debris, together with damage caused by water, the whole of the building is practically a wreck, and will have to be completely demolished. The hotel was an old building, owned by James Fleming, of Taukau, and renovations were completed only last week. The insurances are: —On the building, £3OOO in the United, £3OO in the Royal; stock, £IOOO in the Guardian; furniture and effects, £IOOO in tlie Guardian. Banfield’s hairdressing saloon, in the lower storey of the hotel, was insured for £3OO, stock and fittings. It is believed that the outbreak was due to a fire left smouldering in the walls after Thursday’s fire. GISBORNE, July 5. The homestead of Mr J. R. Murphy, of Tangahau Station, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning, very little being saved. July U> The Fire Brigade had a busy time in the early hours this morning, when two calls were answered. The first was at 2.35 o’clock, when a 14-roomed house in De Lautour road, owned and occupied by Mr F. E. Gacldam and family, was totally destroyed, the occupants having a narrow escape. The fire was beyond the confines of the fire Board area, and the engine, after going to the boundary, came back to town. The insurances are stated to be £3OOO on the house and £SOO on the furniture, but in what offices is not known. At 3.55 o’clock the brigade turned out to a call in Lytton road, where a sixroomed house was burning fiercely, and with the high wind that was blowing was soon destroyed. The occupants also had a narrow escape, making a hurried exit in their night attire. The house was owned by the David Shaw estate, and was occupied by Mrs Augustine and The house and outbuildings were insured in the Farmers’ Co-operative Insurance Company of New Zealand for'T2oo. The furniture was also insured, but the amount is not known.