STORE DESTROYED.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11975, 12 May 1914, Page 5

STORE DESTROYED.

BIG FIRE AT PORT AHURIRI

FLAX, TOW AND WOOL BURNED.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

NAPIER, Monday

Port Ahuriri this evening was visited by one of the most disastrous tires recorded for many years, resulting in the total destruction of the New Zealf.nd Shipipng Company's fine store, and Messrs Williams and Kettle's No. 2 produce store, facing the breastwork.

The Spit Fire Brigade were on the scene as speedily as possibly, but rlie ilames spread with amazing rapidity amongst a large stock of ilax and row stored in the Shipping Copany's building. It was at once apparent that this and Williams and Kettle' store adjoining were doomed, and as soon as it was found that the prospects o.t' saVing these two stores were hopeless the' brigadesmen directed the.v attention to Messrs Williams and Kettle's No. 1 store on the east, airl Balgcty and Co.'s premises on the vest. " After a strenuous fight they

succeeded in effecting a splendid "save," under the most heart-break-ing difficulties, as owing to the locality o^the. lire being near the terminus oil the reticulation system —added to tiie fact that some eight or ten leads of hose were working —the pressure was very inadequate. This necessitated the utmost exertions on the part of the niemen, who stuck manlully to their work, and after about an hour's hard lighting had their efforts rewarded although both buildings were alight aril apparently doomed several tiim-H.

Within an hour all danger was past, and the two stores and their contents were a heap of ruins, although lite l!ux continued lo burn fiercely for several hours. The New Zeala-id Shipping Co.'s loss is a heavy one, -is in addition to their tine wool and ilax c'.umping plant, the store contained s<: me 300 bales of flax and tow, an-.l 100 bales of wool, which had just boen received for shipment, as well as other stock. The tire apparently broke out amongst some ilax near the main fr.wit door, but the origin is n mystery. It is estimated that the total loss ii: buildings and stock will approximate £J 5,000. This will, however, be largely covered by insurance, but tho amounts were, not available to-night.