Fire Destroys Reserve Stock in Beath and Co/s.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18578, 28 September 1928, Page 1

Fire Destroys Reserve Stock in Beath and Co/s.

BRIGADE HELD UP BY LOCKED IRON GATES AND BARRED WINDOWS

FIRE early this morning, in the rear premises of Messrs Beath and Co., drapery firm. Cashel St-eet, caused considerable damage to reserve stock. The main build : ng facing on to Cashel Street was not touched by the Are, which occurred in the big br'ck building facing Lichfield Street, and adjoining the main building. Only the furnishing work-room and the reserve stockroom were damaged by the flames. The building and the stock are covered by insurance.

The outbreak was first noticed at about 7.30 a.m., when smoke was seen issuing from the windows at the side of the brick building. Immediately the Fire Brigade was called, and two engines from the central fire station arrived shortly after 7.30 a.m. There was little flame, and the fire was not of a spectacular nature. Huge volumes of smoke, however, poured from the building. The brigade quickly assumed command of the situation, and the heavy jets of water soon began to take effect. The fire had its strongest hold at the floor between the reserve stock room on the ground floor and the furnishing stodk room on the top floor. Difficult Access. The firemen experienced difficulty in gaining access to the building. The big iron gates at the end of the right-of-way were locked, and the firemen had to climb over them. The iron bars in the windows on the ground floor made entry difficult, but the hoses were played through the windows of the top floor. The fire originated in the furnishing stock room on the top floor, breaking through the floor into the reserve stock room. The scene after the fire was one of disorder and ruin. The furnishing stock room appeared to have suffered most. Sewing machines and fittings were badly damaged, and chairs, cushions and other furniture suffered from fire and water. The floor was in a bad state, big gaps and holes making a foothold somewhat precarious. The window panes were smashed, and the rafters and ceiling were fairly heavily damaged.

One Room Affected. The reserve .stock , was severely damaged, but a considerable portion of the goods, which consisted of fancy, haberdashery, toilet and liberty goods, will be salvaged. Only the one room was affected, the . adjoining . stock, rooms being well protected by the thick brick Walls. The. architecture of the building, which provides the various rooms with the safe protection of brick walls, leaves each room almost isolated, with the result ►that an outbreak of fire has little chance ,of spreading extensively. It would have been almost impossible for the fire to have extended to the main building, the rear wall of which is quite some twenty yards away from the spot where the fire originated.

Reserve Stock Destroyed. The stock destroyed represents the new season's goods, but is all reserve stock. The staff of Beath and Co. is now busy taking stock of the damage the extent of which will not be known Immediately. The building, which is part of the H. B. Sorensen estate, is insured in the South British and the Yorkshire Insurance offices. The stock is insured in the offices of Lloyd’s under a justifiable stock policy covering the whole of. .he stock-

Origin a Mystery. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The electric switches were off, and there were no fires in the building. At the time of the outbreak there were no employees. on the premises. The building was locked, and there was no .means of access. t v.

The ordinary business of Beath and Co. will proceed as usual, none of the present stock being affected. Evidences of the damage are rapidly being clear--1 away, and work in the departments affected will proceed almost immediately.