FIRES.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 2888, 13 December 1898, Page 3

FIRES.

■» STORE AND FOUR SHOES BURNED. Per Press Association. NAPIEK, December 18. A fire m Emerson Street early this morning destroyed a drapery store owned by W. K. Blythe, and a fine block of four shops, the property of W. H. Rathbone, of Waipawa, occupied by A. Walker (fruiterer), E. J. Smith (painter), Mrs P. Derbyshiro (milkseller), and 1. WillHams (watchmaker). Those first on the scene say that the fire started i m Walker's, very close to the wall dividing the building from Blythe's. The Brigade were smartly m attendance, but there was considerable delay m getting the water on, caused by the breaking of a fire plug. Meanwhile the flames spread with great rapidity. A large quantity of inflammable material stored m Blythe's warehouse speedily fell a prey to the fire. Once this was fairly ablaze the sight was a magnificent one. The heatwasintense,and the gravest fears were entertained that the fire would travel on to the corner, and ignite the Wesleyan Church. However with an excellent supply of water the Brigade succeeded m checking the progress of the flames m that direction, but the fire spread-quickly towards town, and before it could be got under, Derbyshire's, Smith's, and Williams'shops had been gutted. TheWorkingmen'sOlubnextdoorhadamarvellouß escape. No one is able to account for the outbreak. The insurances are — Ratbbone's buildings (erected at a cost of £1600) £1000 m the New Zealand ; Blythe's warehouse (valued at £1200) £800 m the Royal; stock m store (valued at between £700 and £900) £500 m the Hamburg Magdeberg: Walker £100 m the South British ; Williams £100 m the Northern ; Derbyshire (estimated loss £50) uninsured; Smith (estimated value £400) £120 m .the North Queensland. WELLINGTON, December 12. An incipient fire was discovered m the Empire Hotel, Willis street, at about 4 o'clock this afternoon. Coming so soon after the Royal Oak Hotel fire, the circulation of the news of the incident caused some excitement m the city. It turned out to be a very trivial affair. The ceiling of one of the rooms caught alight, it is supposed from the flame of a candle, but the outbreak was suppressed by Mr Mandel, the proprietor, before any damage was done. CHRISTCHURCH, December 12. A fire at German Bay on Thursday destroyed Jules Le Levre's dwelling The insurance on the house was £500 m the Liverpool and Globe, and on the furniture £500 m the Commercial Union, The fire is supposed to have originated m a defective chimney.