DESTRUTIVE BLAZE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18330, 30 July 1929, Page 9

DESTRUTIVE BLAZE.

BUSINESS PREMISES GUTTED. SERIOUS LOSS OF PLANT. One cf the most serious outbreaks of fire in years, not because of the amount of damage actually done, but because of the locality, and the amount of damage that could quite easily have been done, occurred Timaru yesterday morning. The are broke out in the upstairs portion of the building occupied by Messrs G. H. Nicholas and Co., Stafford Street, and before being quelled did a large amount of damage. The upstairs portion of the building comprises a billiard room, premises occupied by the National Electrical and Engineering Co., Ltd., and the workshop of G. H. Nicholas and Co. The latter two premises were completely gutted, while the billiard room also presents a sorry spectacle. The alarm was received at 4.10 a.m., Mr F. M. Shewan, Cannon Street, first noticing the blaze. This message was received at the Fire Station by telephone, while almost immediately, four fire boxes were broken. The Brigade was first given to understand that the fire was in Sophia Street. Within a few minutes the Brigade was on the scene of the fire. Only one engine (No. 1) was used, the second engine (No. 2) at present being under repair. Six leads, of a total length of 1100 feet, were taken from Stafford Street. The flames, at that early stage, were shooting through the roof, and being fanned towards Adams Ltd., by a south-west breeze. “The water pressure was great,” said Superintendent P- Campbell to a reporter yesterday, “and in this we were extremely fortunate.” The Superintendent went on to state that, at first, two leads were made from Adams’s right-of-way, to the top of the building, and one to the ground floor. Soon after another lead was made to the top, another the ground floor, and one to the billiard room, which, at this period, had not been in great danger. Later, leads were taken from the stairway leading to the upstairs portion. In this way the fire was being played on from all angles, the danger of spreading being instantly realised. There was a good deal of danger of walls falling, these being not in the best of condition, as the building was fairly old. The intense heat on the inside and the cold water outside placed the walls in danger of collapse. A motor car, left standing in Adams’s right-of-way, was rescued without damage. As the turn of the fire went, it is not thought the car would have been damaged. The fire, for the most part, was under control in about half an hour, as soon as the Brigade were able to keep up a continual stream of water, from all angles. The brigade continued to work on the fire till 6 a.m. when two men were left in charge. No danger was expected after that. There was a fair risk from falling timber and glass. Several firemen were injured through burns, one having to receive medical attention. He was able to resume work, however, yesterday morning. “Adams Ltd., gave us most concern,” said the Superintendent, “as at the start the wind was blowing in that direction.” The wind later changed to north-west, and finally to a westerly. Light rain was falling at the time. “We considered the locality one of the most dangerous in town,” said Mr Campbell. “At the rear is a narrow backyard, filled with boxes and straw, and other odds and ends, all of an inflammable nature, while Adams Ltd., Dominion Motors. and Bockaert’s Garage are close nearby. We were very fortunate in stopping the fire so soon. This makes the third time we have had to ring the manager of Adams Ltd., because of fires nearby,” remarked Mr Campbell with a smile “but we don’t think his firm is fated to suffer in this manner.” The upper portion of the gutted building presented a sorry spectacle. The roof over the National Electrical and Engineering Co’.s premises, and over G. H. Nicholas and Co.’s premises had caved in, and dripping water, charred timber and iron added to the scene of chaos. Mr Nicholas states that the value of his stock (upstairs) was £1205. This, including motor accessories, batteries, battery accessories, tractors and tractor parts, had been completely destroyed. This figure included the billiard room, owned by Mr Nicholas and leased to Mr A. Begg. The insurances totalled £2IOO, so that -Mr Nicholas will be a heavy loser. The insurances were £IOOO on merchandise, £IOOO on tractor spares and £4OO on the billiard room. In the premises upstairs, further plant and accessories to the value of £l9O, including lathes, motors and general equipment was completely destroyed, and this was not insured. The

bottom part of the building was untouched, except for water. Tractors, to a value of £7OO had not been damaged, except by water, while the office and all cash and documents was undisturbed also except by water. The front of the downstairs portion is at present undergoing remodelling. Here again, the only damage was done by water. The fire had been confined wholly to upstairs.

In the billiard room desolation met the eye. Of four tables, two at least were seriously damaged, mostly by water. Billiard cues and balls suffered a similar fate. The furniture and fittings in the room are insured for £4OO. Mr Nicholas said that he left the premises at 2.30 on Saturday afternoon, when everything was as usual. He could not account for the outbreak. Except where was necessary by the Fire Brigade, there were no signs of a forced entry. “I was at the scene of the fire shortly after 5 a.m., and there was no external sign of flames,” said Mr Nicholas. “The Brigade did great work.” Mr Nicholas added that the fire would make no difference to his tractor business, which would be carried on as usual. All the spare parts downstairs had been saved. The manager of the National Electrical and Engineering Co. (Mr S. Winterbourne) says that he felt the premises at noon on Saturday. He switched off the three lights, and everything was apparently in good order. The stock was valued at about £IOOO, and had been completely destroyed. The stock was covered, but Mr Winterbourne did not know to what extent, by the National Insurance Co., Christchurch. According to Mr Winterbourne, his premises were absolutely gutted. “The Fire Brigade,” he said, “did great work.” Mr Winterbourne further stated that in the meantime, business would be carried on in premises above Mr E. Porter’s shop, across the street. Fittings for the lighting of the National Mortgage and Agency Co’s new buildings, and for St. Mary’s Church Hall, which were on the premises, were totally destroyed.

The shop of Mr J. Norrie, grocer, situated next door to the scene of the fire, escaped without much damage, although some of the stores, in a back room, were damaged by water. In Adams Ltd., workshop, several second-hand motor cars were damaged by falling glass, and water. The heat from the fire caused the destruction of a large skylight, the glass from this faliing on to the cars underneath. The building, which is owned by Mr P. A. Elworthy, at present in England, is insured for £3OOO.