FIRF AT BLUFF

Southland Times, Issue 17715, 29 July 1914, Page 5

FIRF AT BLUFF

CLUB HOTEL DESTROYED. HEAVY LOSSES. One of the biggest fires that lias ever occurred at Bluff for over a decade commenced in the Club Hotel buildings at midnight. The outbreak had a firm hold before it was discovered, and by the time the brigade could be summoned the flames had complete mastery. Every effort was turned to saving the Post Office building at the western end and Messrs Huddart, Parker and Co.'s offices and the Bluff Harbour Board’s building on the east. Difficulty was experienced in rescuing some of the inmates, two of whom sustained slight injury. The fire appears to have commenced in the vicinity of the right-of-way between Ferguson and Hotton's tobacconist shop and W. Haigh’s newsagent shop. It is doubtful whether the fire originated in the billiard saloon at the back of the tobacconist shop or in the Club Hotel second storey. The flames spread rapidly, demolishing the whole of the Club Hotel buildings and also the Huddart, Parker offices. The heavy partition at the eastern end saved the Bank of New Zealand, and the Harbour Board’s offices. All the shops lost everything, the only salvage being from the Club Hotel. At two o’clock the outbreak had been mastered, and there was no chance of it spreading further. The following are the approximate insurances: —Club Hotel, furniture and stock, £ISOO In the Commercial Union; building, £BOOO in the Royal Exchange; D. C. Hamilton, chemist, £4OO in the United; G. V. Edge, £225, Norwich Union; Fergusson and Hotton. £IOO State Office: W. Haigh, £IOO in the State and £IOO in National; P. C. M. Anderson, fancy good, £4OO. Commercial Union; Huddart, Parker Office. £IOO, Atlas Office; Bank of New Zealand (smoked), £4OO In Standard, and £250 in the Commercial Union.