FIRE AT ASHBURTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9115, 21 December 1907, Page 5

FIRE AT ASHBURTON.

[Fjiom Ottb Correspondent.] ASHBURTON, December 21. A disastrous fire occurred in Ashburton this morning by which Dorm and Sons' paint establishment and other buildings were destroyed. Owing to the large quantity of turpentine, whitelead and paint in Dorm's premises the fire raged very fiercely, and although the brigade worked manfully there was) no possibility of saving either Dorm and Sons or Scott ana Cos. premises, which were burned to the ground with all the stock-in-trade. All the furniture and sale goods in Stephensoh's auction mart were saved, as also were books and papers, but the building was gutted to such an extent that it will have to be rebuilt. Stephenson's stock was much damaged by. water. A cottage and offices owned by H. M'Elrea, and occtir pied by Kerr Brothers, adjoining Dorm and Sons, was also gutted, but the papers were saved. None of the premises were occupied at the time of the fire, the origin of which remains a mystery. The heat of the fire was w> great that all the windows of several premises on the opposite side of the road were cracked, and had it not been for the united efforts of the brigade arid a willing band of volunteers these premises would also have been destroyed. As it was, the flames crossed the street on a level with the ground just after the alarm was given and enveloped some bicycles left there by early-arriving helpers, and burned the celluloid mud-guards and the tyres of one or two machines. The fire at its height was a fine spectacle, and the flames, being oil-fed, were very vivid and destructive. For a short period a building with a shingle roof a block away was in danger from sparks. The main destroyed was an old wooden one, and was originally the Salvation Army Barracks, but it had only recently been renovated and put in [ thorough repair. The insurances and losses are: — Dorm and Sons, £700 on tho building (the estimated value of which is £1500) and £400 on the stock ' (estimated to be carrying £900 worthY j inHbe North British Office; Scott apd I Co., £200 on the stock, office unknown (estimated to be carrying £300.) ; Henry Stephenson, £250 on the building and £40 on the furniture in the Norwich. Union Office ; Henry M'Elrea, £50 on the cottage and offices, in the London and Liverpool and Globe office, estimated value of the bouse £100.