FIRE AT GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23146, 12 March 1937, Page 8

FIRE AT GORE

Doctor’s Surgery Gutted WAITING ROOM ALSO DAMAGED Two rooms used by Dr J. M. Watters as a waiting room and surgery in a two-storied brick building in Ashton street, Gore, adjoining the Carrington Hotel, were gutted by fire which broke out about 9 o’clock last night. An inmate of the hotel, Miss Barron, happened to visit the kitchen shortly after 9 o’clock and found smoke and flames issuing from the partition. _ The alarm was given and when the brigade arrived the fire was blazing fiercely, flames coming through the windows of the surgery and waiting room. Just before a lead of water was turned on to the fire muffled explosions, believed to have been caused by the burning of chemicals were heard. Flames swept out of the front entrance and two firemen had a narrow escape. The flames were quickly subdued, but not before the surgery and waiting room were completely gutted. Other apartments in the building were slightly affected by smoke and water. j Books and papers in the doctors desk were charred, but a number were recovered in a damaged condition. The doctor’s property carried a certain amount of insurance, but he estimated that his loss would be substantial.

The cause of the fire is unknown. When Dr Watters left the surgery about half an hour before the fire broke out everything appeared to be in order.