LARGE FIRE IN NAPIER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3964, 11 February 1882, Page 2

LARGE FIRE IN NAPIER.

DREADFDL DESTRUCTION OF

PROPERTY.

£15,000 WORTH PROPERTY DESTROYED IN TWENIY MINUIES.

INSURANCES OVER £8600.

[TELKQRAPHED BY PRVISS ARSOOIATIOX ]

The most disastrous fire that has happened, at Napier for years past occurred last evening, just after 8 o'clock. It broke out in the building occupied by Mr. Fair, draper (late of Charleston), who bought the stock of Messrs. Price and Lines about a month ago. It is conjectured that an explosion of gas was the cause, as the fire seemed to burst out simultaneously in all parts of the shop, and spread with unexampled rapidity. In twenty minutes £15,000 worth of property had been destroyed.

The Fire Brigade had just been out practising, and had put their steam engine into the shed, and let the fire out. This caused a delay, as the fire had to be built, and boiler filled and steam got up. In the meantime the hand-engines and hose, supplied from high pressure, seemed to have no effect.

After Fair's premises were destroyed the offices of Cornford, solicitor, and Carnoil, the photographer, next went, and, though the contents were saved, much damage was done in removal.

Large and Townley's furniture establishment next caught, and a small building at the side was gutted. All the carpets and oil cloths in stock were destroyed, but most of the furniture was removed, and the Brigade by almost superhuman exertions saved the main building.

Part of Peddie's old hotel was burned, but the new building now going up was saved.

It is impossible to give the exact loss or insurance, but it may be estimated as follows : —

Value of buildings, which were very old, about £1,000.

Fair's stock £7,000.

Stock recently bought from trustees of a bankrupt estate (Price andlnnes), £G,GOO.

Carnell's loss is about £400, chiefly through damage caused in removal ; Large and Townley, about £500, by fire, and £200 by damage ; and Peddie about £200 by fire and damage to furniture removed. Cornford's loss is slight if all the deeds in his safe are secure, which is not ascertained yet.

The Rev. J. Campbell is owner of the buildings destroyed.

The insurances as far as known are — £1000 each in Royal, Scottish, Union, Victoria, and Imperial (all on Fairs' stock), National, £500 (ve-iusured from the Victoria), on Carnell's stock, and £200 in South British. Large and Townley are insured to full amount of loss in the Union Office, Black well's losses are £150, not insured.

The contractors for Peddie's new hotel will lose about £100.

The New Zealand Insurance Co. has £200 on building, £100 on Cornford's books and furniture. Large and Townley are insured in the Union for £800, New Zealand for £200, South British £700, Victoria £831, National £500.

Peddie is insured in the Union for £600.