DISASTROUS FIRE

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6410, 3 November 1923, Page 8

DISASTROUS FIRE

THREE SHOPS DESTROYED Two Cithers Damaged In Whitaker Street, Te Aroha Splendid Work' by Brigade A disastrous fire occurred in Whi-taker-street, Te Aroha, early this morning, lhe alarm was given at about 2.20 a.m. by Mr J. Munro, who saw it in its early stages as he was on his way to work. The very vigorous ringing of the fire bell soon brought a crowd into the street, and the Fire Brigade was speedily on the scene When Mr Munro saw the fire it had iust burst out. It' was the speedy arrival of the fire brigade, the stillness of the air and the fine, pressure of water that accounts for the conflagration being stopped where it was

The origin of the fire is at present uncertain, and it appeared to burst out just at the division of the wall between Mrs Pilbrow’s diningrooms and Mr F. Halligan’s drapery and mercery shop. When the alarm was given a portion of Mrs Pilbrow’s premises was in a blaze and some of the occupants had not much time to spare in getting from their bedrooms. Those sleeping in Mrs Pilbrow’s rooms were herself and four of her children, and Mr and Mrs Lips.ey and niece. Mr Halligan’s shop, a portion of which appeared simultaneously in a blaze, was not occupied by any person.

SPREAD WITH RAPIDITY

' The fire spread with astonishingrapidity and the conflagration increased greatly in volume, the flames shoo„ir.g into the calm atmosphere to a great height, indicating the dryness o:' the old wooden buildings, the inflam ability of the materials and the stillnesii of the night. Any slight movement in the atmosphere was in the direction of the “News Buildings” and the spread of the fire was mainly in that direction. It was not long before the boot shop of Mr G. Cornish was alight too, and the brigade put up magnificent work in their endeavor to stay the progress of the devouring flames. Though the brigade’s work .was very effective, they were much hindered in staying the progress 'of the flames in this direction through having to keep the water playing on other parts of the blazing buildings—particularly in preventing the large store of Messrs J. E. Johnson and Sons getting alight. Although Messrs Johnson’s store caught near the back at one of the upper windows, the good work of the fire fighters and the brick Avail saved it from destruction.—though the office and a portion of the stock was damaged by water. 'J’he mass of flames which enveloped the boot shop of Mr Cornish constituted a grave menace to the next building; which was occupied by Mr T. Radd, hamdresser and billiard room proprietor. Fortunately this building was separated from that occupied by Mr Cornish by a narrow, alleyway. This was of some assistance in fighting the flames, but it did not entirely prevent the fire from getting a small hold of Mr Radd’s shop. But as the brigade had obtained the mastery fire in Mr Radd’s premises was speedily checked and prevented from getting a very serious hold. This at first was rendered difficult through the wide extent covered by the blazing buildings, but the effectAe Avork of the firemen soon told and the consuming flames were fortunately halted here. SHOPS DESTROYED The shops occupied by Mrs Pilbi'o\y and that of Mr Halligan were almost entirely destroyed, while that of Mr Cornish fared almost as badly. The effects of the fire in Mr Radd’s establishment Avas mainly confined to damage to stock and two billiard tables by Avater. INSURANCES The shops occupied by Mrs Pilbrow and Messrs Halligan and Cornish were owned by Messrs J. and G. Lovegrove. As far as can be ascertained at present the insurances are: Mr Cornish £2OOO on stock, which is valued at £3500; Mrs Pilbrow £645, she, however, estimates her loss at over £1000; Mr Halligan is insured in the Northern Insurance Co., but the amount is not at present procurable. Me had just landed a new season’s stock, which is not covered. His loss above insurances is estimated to be above £IOOO. The damage to the Stock of Messrs J. B. Johnson and Son’s is estimated to be well on toAvards £IOOO. Mr Radd had insurances of £2OO on his stock and £2OO on his billiard tables.

ACCIDENTS TO FIREMEN *

While the brigade Avas returning to the Fire Station Mr T. Donovan, one of the firemen, fell of the mot'or reel and was rendered unconscious by striking his head in the /Til. j Dr. Lawrence attended to few hours afterwards he was Tftftfe the worse. Fireman T. Burmester struck his hand on some plate glass, severely lacerating it.