FIRE AT WHANGAREI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 12, 15 January 1932, Page 8

FIRE AT WHANGAREI

ENORMOUS DAMAGE FOUR PREMISES AFFECTED WALLS OF TWO COLLAPSE [ Per Press Association. ] WHANGAREI, Jan. 14. v Never sinco the great fire which swept the centre of Wbangarei about 36 years ago has such a conflagration raged here as the one which broke out just before seven o’clock to-night, involving one of the most important business blocks in the heart of the town, located at the base of Bank Street, near its junction with Cameron Street. The fire originated in the back portion of the Farmers’ Union Trading Company’s large general merchandise premises, which are constructed of brick and concrete, three storeys high at the back and two in front. The brigade was quickly on the scene when the fire was visible through a window of the basement. Though the brigade attacked the outbreak from three, side.’ of the building with a moderate water pressure the flames quickly spread through the interior, billows of smoke issuing from the eastern windows at 7.10 p.m., when members of the firm’s staff rushed in and removed a box of explosives. Five minutes later flames were visible on the top floor. Shortly before 8 o’clock the whole structure was a terrible infer© with flames issuing from every aperture and the roofs of the adjoining buildings on either side, Husking’s Drapery Em porium, Chaplin’s (tobacconist), and East (fruiterer), were also well alight by this time. The walls of the Farmers’ premises collapsed at 8.10 o’clock and those of Hosking’s shop ten minutes later. Other occupiers Ox. shops in the vicinity removed a portion of their stocks, the remainder being damaged by smoke and water. The scene presented a dazzling spectacle which could be observed over a radius of many miles. The loss, which is not yet ascertainable, will be enormous. Telephone and telegraphic services to the north are largely disorganised. The outbreak was well under control at 9 o’clock.