FIRE AT URENUI.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 May 1925, Page 10

FIRE AT URENUI.

v DESTRUCTION OF SHOPS. ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) At about 12,30 on Saturday night last a disastrous fire occurred in the township, when the general store and billiard room occupied by Messrs. Fitzgerald and O’Neill were totally destroyed, as well as the butcher’s shop owned by Mr. J. Murray, of Uruti. It would appear that the billiard room had been closed at the usual hour, and both Messrs. Fitzgerald and O’Neill, who slept on the premises, had retired. The former gentleman was awakened by the barking of a little terrier, which also stayed in the .building, and on arising discovered that a fire had originated somewhere in the vicinity of the billiard room. He immediately aroused his partner, but the fire had obtained a strong hold and nothing was saved beyond a few personal effects and the cash register. Mr. R. Waite, who was one of the fust on the scene, made a gallant effort to save the safe, which contained the books and cash, but was forced to retire. At this time a slight breeze was blowing in the direction of the adjoining buildings and the post-office, and fears were entertained that the whole block would go; in fact, a portion of the adjoining building to the butcher’s shop had been ignited, but fortunately the air became calm and the willing helpers were enabled to stop the further progress of the fire.

Meanwhile, every precaution was being taken to ensure the safety of Mr. Dunbar’s store, which is just across the street, and water-saturated blankets were draped round the walls, which were becoming quite heated. Had a southerly breeze sprung up at this period, nothing could have saved the situation, and it is hard to say what damage may have resulted. It will be remembered, some three or four years ago, when the hotel stables were burned to the ground, it was nothing short of a miracle that the hotel and most of the business premises were not destroyed, and it is equally fortunate on this occasion that no further damage resulted, as on the two or three previous nights a fairly strong breeze was blowing.

So intense was the heat that the fireproof safe (which contained a considerable sum of money in notes, cheques and silver, besides the books of the firm) was unable to stand the test, and when opened on Monday nothing remained but a mass of charred paper (which crumpled to nothing when touched) and a number of blackened coins. Too much praise cannot be given to the willing helpers who worked so gallantly to save the adjoining buildings, and it is doubtless due to their efforts that a much more serious disaster has not to be recorded. Very general sympathy is felt with Messrs. Fitzgerald and O’Neill, and also Mr. Murray, in their heavy loss. The former have resumed business on premises adjoining, and Mr. Murray has also re-opened in the butcher’s shop occupied by Mr. Les Frazer some years ago. The insurances were £l5OO on the stock, £75 on the billiard table, and £125 on personal effects, the building, which was owned by Mrs. H. Blundell, of i Okoke, carrying an insurance of £350. Mr. Murray’s shop was insured for £l5O, but there was nothing on the fittii’gs and plant, amongst which was a new engine, costing some £65, which was only installed a short time ago. It is understood Mr. Murray intends rebuilding in concrete, and steps are being taken to replace the. premises occupied by Messrs. Fitzgerald and O’Neill.