EARLY MORNING FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1929, Page 13

EARLY MORNING FIRE

PALMERSTON BUILDING GUTTED.

MOTOR-CARS DESTROYED.

Palmerston N., Sept. 4. Another serious fire occurred at Palmerston North early this morning when portion of a building at 58 Rangitikei Street, owned by Mr. Andrew Guy, was gutted and four motor-cars destroyed, as well as workshop plant and other equipment. The building, which is a brick onestorey one, was divided into two .parts, one occupied by Mr. G. H. Fitt, motorear trimmer - and upholsterer, and the other by Mr. G. J. McGrath, motor-car painter. When the brigade received the call at 3.25 a.m. the fire had a good hold and flames were bursting from the windows. Strenuous efforts were made, by both machines to get the flames under control and more particularly to prevent their spreading. These proved successful, and although the wooden partition was badly charred the flames were confined to Mr. Fitt’s premises. Had the flames broken through the damage would have been trebled, as Mr. McGrath had ten motorears, as well as valuable material, in the building. As it was, he escaped damage to his property other than that caused by smoke and water, although the state of the roof and the partition showed how narrow his escape had been. Mr. Fitt’s premises were gutted and the conents almost completely destroyed.;

The alarm is believed to have been given by an employee of the Wellington Express Company who was loading his lorry in the yard in front of the building. He had considerable difficulty 'in getting his lorry from the flames, which even at that early stage were bursting from the building.

The insurance on the building is £l2OO, while Mr. Fitt’s stock is insured for £375 and Mr. McGrath’s for £450. One of the cars involved in the fire, and belonging to Mr. Fitt was not insured, but the other three cars, one of which is the property of Magnus Motors, Ltd., are covered by the owners’ private policies.