BIG FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1778, 3 July 1926, Page 5

BIG FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE

FARMERS’ STORES DESTROYED

DAMAGE ABOUT £20,000.

(By Telegraph. Press Association.)

CAMBRIDGE, Friday

Another old Cambridge landmark was wiped out early last evening when the Farmers’ Auctioneering Co’s two storeyed premises, situated in Duke Street, were completely destroyed. The building was of wood, and very old, the first portion having been erected about 50 years ago. The premises were subsequently added to, the company’s business being an extensive one, comprising drapery, grocery and ironmongery, with large offices.

The brigade put up a great fight, and although the hotel caught fire in several places they finally, after running out every foot of hose available, effected a remarkable save, as at times masses of flames were shooting right over the top of the hotel.

Such was the fierceness of the blaze that in an hour all that remained of the Farmers’ Co’s premises was a heap of twisted ironwork and smoulderingruins.

With the exception of the office books and records, very little was saved from the Farmers' Co’s premises. The estimated value of the stocks was from £15,000 to £20.000. With the exception of the store of benzine, the whole-ofthe .stocks were destroyed.

The insurances on the Farmers’ were: On the building, £BOO on’ the stocks £12,500; on the fittings and fixtures £4OO. The policies were held by their own company jointly with the New Zealand Insurance Company.