CAUSE NOT KNOWN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18235, 2 November 1933, Page 9

CAUSE NOT KNOWN

CHRISTCHURCH FIRE FIRMS’ HEAVY LOSSES fPer Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night. The only sufferers by the fire last night were Weston Brothers and Company, leather merchants; Andrews, Raty and Company, printers, etc.; Chandler and Company, Limited; and the Bunco! Oil Company. These were the only occupants of the building. Early information telegraphed last night to tin’ effect that there wero other tenants is incorrect. The estimated loss on the buildings is approximately £7OOO. , The insurances wore £-1700 with the Australian Alliance Assurance. Weston Brothers losses arc estimated at between £15,000 and £17,000. The insurances on the stock and plant were £11,500 with the Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company. Chandler and Company lost stock estimated to be worth £BOO to £IOOO, which is covered by an insurance of £IOOO with the New Zealand Insurance Office. The only damage suffered by the Bcncol Oil Company was by water. The storeroom containing 2000 gallons of oil was not reached by the flames. The stock was insured for £SOO in the Royal Insurance Company, The main premises of Andrews, Batv and Company were in Hie adjoining building, which was unharmed. The firm used portion of the destroyed building as a bulk store, where stock was damaged to the extern; of £BOO to £IOOO. . .The total insurances of Andrews, Baty arid Company are in the Northern Assurance Company, £7OOO in the Halifax Fire Insurance Company, and £ISOO in the Liverpool, London, and Globe. It was at first -believed that the fite originated in Western Brothers’ workshop. Tho cause of the fire is still unknown, but, Superintendent, Warner, of the Fire Brigade, said to-dav that, lie is satistied the tire did not start on the, top Hour. It apparently originated in the, paint shop at the rear of Chandler and' Coilipany’R premises immediately above the,point at which the fire was burning most fiercely when the out break • was discovered.