DISASTROUS FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18551, 24 April 1930, Page 8

DISASTROUS FIRE.

BIG BLAZE AT COLLINGWOOD. By Telegraph—Pres* . NELSON, April 23. The most disastrous fire occurred at Collingwood, at about 1 o’clock this morning, completely destroying six buildings and gutting two others. Commencing in the rear of Stallard’s boarding house, the flames ate up the wooden structure with amazing rapidity. A hall, owned by the Presbyterian Church and the manse, occupied by Mr Ross and family soon caught fire. By this time a steady breeze was fanning the flames across the street, licking the buildings opposite. Miss Cotter’s billiard saloon soon caught, and the Post Office was threatened, but, thanks to a good pressure of water and excellent work by the Brigade, this was saved, and the fire was got under control in the billiard room. By this time the wind had veered slightly, and Brame’s Collingwood Hotel, and Doyle’s butcher shop fell easy victims. The heat and flames from these buildings swept across William Street, destroying Wigzell’s store and the Institute building next door. Taylor’s residence, next to the Institute then caught, but by this time the Brigade had worked through the back of the hotel site, and with wonderful work soon had the fire under control, saving a portion of the building, though water and smoke did much damage. The water supply was excellent. Occupants of the boardinghouse, butcher’s shop and hotel lost practically everything! The Institute building housed the library, nothing being saved. The loss is estimated in the vicinity of £12,000, which is a big blow to the township. LIST OF INSURANCES. •y Telegraph—Pres* Association. NELSON, April 23. The Collingwood fire insurances available are:—Stallards, £BSO on the building. and £250 on the contents in the Liverpool-London Globe office, and £l5O on the contents in the Home Office. Presbyterian Manse, £IOO in the South British. Wigzell’s,' £BOO on the buildings and £1175 on the contents, both in the South British British Office. Institute, £l5O on the building and £7O on the contents in the South British. The dwelling of Mr R. J. Irons, in the South British Office for £350. Colliers, £250 on the building in the South British Office. Collingwood Hotel, £2OOO on the building, and £6OO on the furniture in the Alliance Office.