GREAT FIRE AT GORE. SEVEN BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7922, 29 January 1904, Page 3

GREAT FIRE AT GORE. SEVEN BUILDINGS DESTROYED.

[Per Piiess Association.] INVERCABGILL, January 29. A fire in the maim street of Gere at- halfpast two this morning destroyed several of the finest buildings in the town. Holland's Arcade, Macgibbons's three-storeyed drapery establishment, and- six other shops were destroyed!. It is estimated that the loss will he about £30,000. The fire started in Miss Cotter's milliner's shop, but tfye cause is unknown. Owing to ,the shortage of water the brigade- was greatly handicapped The insurances are not yet available. [From Opr Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, January 29. The fire was the most disastrous that has ever occurred in Gore. It was discovered in a shop occupied by Miss Cotter, milliner. The fire brigade worked splendidly, and had tie fire almost extinguished when the well gave out. The fire then broke through into the Federal store-room in. the Arcade, and into the circular tunnel, which formed the roof of the Arcade shojjs on the north side. There was not a single dividing wall between the sixteen shops, and the fire just roared around the Arcade. The brigade took their plant to the river aijd did their best, but the fire had gained the mastery, and the whole of the Arcade and M'Gibbon's three-storey building were soon a mass of ruins. By great efforts the brigade prevented M'Gruer's store and the Southland Club Hotel from catching fire. The following places were destroyed:— M'Gibbon and Co. , grocers and drapers ; Home, commission agent; Inder, solicitor; Neave, solicitor ; Kenning, fruiterer ; City Grocery; Burley, furniture dealer; Carr, hairdresser; M'Conachy, billiard- saloon-; Mulhare, fruiterer; Lamborne, cycle agent; Paterson, ironmonger ; Cotter, jnilliner ; Gatehouse and Brims, drapers ; Buchanan, grocer; Jamie, jeweller; Simon Bros., bootmakers. <•' A large quantity of stock was saved, although damaged by removal.