SPECTACULAR FIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 13, 16 January 1932, Page 11

SPECTACULAR FIRE

THE WHANGAREI BLAZE DAMAGE ABOUT £40,000. I Per Press Association, j WHANGAREI, Jan. 15. As the outcome of the most costly spectacular fire which Whangarei has experienced for over thirty years, a wide breach has been made right through the important comparatively new trading block in the heart of the town. Four premises were completely demolished, the most notable being those of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co., general providers, and R .G. Hosking’s extensive drapery emporium. These buildings stood on a steep slope with two storeys, fronting the lower end of Bank Street, near Cameron Street corner, and four storeys, including a basement at the back. Other structures destroyed were those of C. R. Caplin, tobacconist, H. Wilkinson, confectioners, Whangarei Racing Club office (all the contents were saved), while the stocks of East’s and McKinnon’s (both fruiterers), immediately north and south respectively, were utterly spoiled by heat, smoke and water. The contents of three other shops in Cameron Street —Burfoot (chemist), McKinnon (Marble Bar Tearooms), and another drapery shop, also owned by Hoskings—were damaged by smoke and water. Being a half-holiday here probably the smouldering was going on for several hours until smoke was observed proceeding from the rear of the Farmers’ property, just before 7 o’clock. Though the volume of smoke increased enormously, due to the interior burning, nearly an hour elapsed before the flames burst out from all parts of the building. The Hosking property and other premises which were demolished were speedily involved in a spectacular blaze, which was observable over a radius of many miles. The very light north-westerly wind carried showers of sparks a long distance, but no other ill consequences ensued therefrom. Some windows in buildings on the opposite sides of the streets from the conflagration were broken by heat, but water from hoses prevented further harm. In the early stages a member of the Farmers’ Union Trading Co.’s staff intrepidly entered the premises and carried out a case of high explosives. An awesome incident during the progress of the fire were the loud detonations from bursting tins of kerosene and the crashing down of floors and walls. The fire brigade, reinforced by exmembers, used every available appliance, and performed prodigies of risky endeavour until finally, gaining the upper hand about 9 o’clock. It is estimated that the total loss is in the vicinity of £40,000.