AWAKENED BY FLAMES COMING IN BEDROOM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17689, 9 November 1925, Page 7

AWAKENED BY FLAMES COMING IN BEDROOM.

GREYMOUTH FIRE CAUSES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. Fer Press Association. GREYMOUTH, November 9. A fire early on Sunday morning destroyed some old wooden buildings in Richmond Quay, including a boardinghouse of fourteen rooms owned by Mrs A. Johnston, a garage and storeroom used by Harley and Company, furniture dealers, and a small stable and “bach” at the back of the storeroom, owned by T. Dillon, of Kotuku. The alarm was given by a boarder, who was awakened by flames coining through the floor of his bedroom. Shortly afterwards the brigade was on the scene, and commenced to battle with the outbreak, which, by that time, had a strong hold in Harley’s storeroom. A stiff easterly wind fanned the flames, and added to the task of the firemen. The brigade was at first hampered by lack of sufficient water pressure, and the steam fire engine was called into commission. Three leads were connected with the river, and by the aid of these pressure was maintained on the three leads, while a further two were maintained from the borough water supply. The storeroom contained two tons of kapok, fifteen sewing machines, one ton of oak timber valued at £SOO, and two motor-cars and a motor-cycle and side-car of an estimated total value of £2OOO, and mostly the property of Messrs Ilarley and Coy., who will be heavy losers. One of the cars belonged to Mr H. F. Bringezu, and it was insured for £200; the motor-cycle was the property of Mr Morty. A woodwork examination had been carried out in the Technical School workshop, which was situated in front 'of Harley’s building, and the work, some of which was to have been sent t< the Dunedin Exhibition, was des-troj-cd. Tbe boarding-house was insured for £4OO in the South British and Alliance Offices. The proprietress will be the loser by £7OO. Harley's building was insured for £IOOO. and the contents for £2OO in the Alliance Assurance C ompany, and the company estimate their loss at £ISOO. No figures are available in regard to Dillon’s buildings.