BIG FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13602, 6 February 1915, Page 3

BIG FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

HOTEL AND OTHER BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

(Per Press Association.) HAWERA, this day. About 10 o'clock on Friday night a ■disastrous fire broke out at the Opunake hotel, resulting in the total destruction of the hotel, cottage, stables, Judson's coach building factory, and Aickin's smithy. A Maori gave the alarm to the proprietor of the hotel, and the iirebell was rung. Willing assistance was soon to hand, and a bucket brigade was formed. It was quickly seen that it was impossible to save the hotel block, and the volunteer brigade's efforts were concentrated on saving the adjoining buildings. The heat of the fire broke the windows of a garage to the west of the fire area. More tnan once the walls of that building caught fire. The flames were, however, extinguished, aucl the garage saved. On the other side of the main street the . buildings were for some considerable time in danger. The efforts of many willing workers, however, were successful in preventing the fire spreading. Fortunately, there was only a slight breeze blowing, or the damage Avould have been greater. It is supposed that the cause was a defective chimney. The insurances available are : Opunake hotel, £1800 in the Guardian office ; -stables, £300 in the New Zealand office; Judson's, £100, and Aicken's £40, both in the Royal Company. The fire has made a big hole in the business area of the town.