FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3828, 26 July 1927, Page 53

FIRES.

BLAZE AT GORE. GORE, July 13. The Carrington Hotel was partly gutted by fire on Saturday night. Tile origin of the fire is a mystery. The flames had a good hold when the brigade arrived, but a successful light was waged, and tho outbreak was confined to tl\e hotel, which is practically a wreck. All the boarders were removed safely, but some lost their effects. The building was ft well-known landmark in the town. It was owner by Mr Robert Fraser, and was occupied by him. It was insured for £5OOO in the Victoria Office, and the effects were covered bv £lO5O in the Government and another office.

SHOP CONTENTS DAMAGED. The Fire Brigade received a call at 9.42 on Tuesday evening to a shop in the Main North road, near tlie Gardens. The building, an electrical supply shop, was owned by' Duncan’s estate and occupied by Mr Peter M’Gregor. The shop was badly damaged by the smoke and heat, and the contents and fittings were severely damaged by (ire. The building is insured with the New Zealand Insurance Co., but the amount was not available last night. The contents are insured for £270 in the Guardian office. . It is thought that a radiator left switched on was the cause of the outbreak.

BUNGALOW GUTTED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 21. A practically new four-roomed bungalow, owned and occupied by Mr F. Hunt, Ayers street, Rangiora, was gutted by fire this morning. The house was insured for £7OO, and the furniture, nearly all of which was burned, was insured for £250, both in the Alliance office. Because of the new fire alarms in the borough not working properly, considerable time was lost in summoning the brigade, otherwise the house might have been saved. BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED. HAMILTON, July 21. Early this morning fire completely destroyed a large building belonging to Carr, Poutncy, and Co., produce and seed merchants, at Morrinsville. The building was quickly a mass of flames, and was soon destroyed. The premises .vere insured, but the details are unobtainable. FOUR-STOREY BUILDING DAMAGED. WELLINGTON, July 24. J: ire broke out at 4.54 this morning in a large four-storey brick and concrete building, No. 68 Willis street, owned by Mr II D. Bennett, and a large portion of the structure was practically gutted. The building was used as offices. No information is available as to the origin, nor are particulars of the insurance obtainable. COUNTRY’ STORE DESTROYED. lIAWERA, July 23. An outbreak of lire at 10 o’clock last night caused a loss estimated at £4OOO, the Otakeho country' store belonging to Hubert James Eaves being tot .Uy- destroyed. The storekeeper, who resides in the adjoining house, was away' at the time. There was no water pressure aud no fire-fighting appliances, and nothing could -be done to check the flames or salvage the contents. The safe, containing £3, and the store books, were later discovered with their contents intact. The wall of the Post Office, next to the store, caught fire, but the building was saved by water from a pump. The insurances on the building were approximately £2500.