THE INVERCARGILL FIRE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160814, 23 November 1920, Page 5

THE INVERCARGILL FIRE

ESTIMATED LOSS £76,000,

(Per United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Nov. 21

The most destructive fire that inis occurred for many years broke’ out in the National Mortgage Company’s premises in the Crescent Block shortly after 3 o’clock this morning. When tne brigade arrived the place was a seething mass of flames, and ’the two-storied trick promises were completely gutted, and nothing was saved. Flames broke into the adjoining four-storied building of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Ccmpany, the main portion of .which was destroyed with its valuable contents. Cnl y part of the front offices remam-d iutmt. It is estimated that it will cc»l over £20,000 to reinstate the National Mortgage Company’s buildings. The contents were valued at between <£15,000 and £20,000. The Loan Com pa ay t build' ing contained 850 bales of wool belonging to the Imperial Governnii nt, besides a large quantity stored for <■ .’hints. Yale able plant, a large quantity of seed, oats, manures,' and general merchandise were totally destroyed. The aggreagate loss will ‘ probably reach £75,000. The insurances are not available.

THE INSURANCES. INVERCARGILL, Nov. 22. The insurances on the premises involved in Saturday’s tire are as follows—National Mortgage buildings and furniture insured in National office; stock, £B6OO in the same office. The Loan Company’s building, £7500; stock and _ furniture £11,450 . (both in .the Union office). Eight hundred and fifty bales of Im-, perial Government wool were stored in the Loan Company’s building valued at £21,000. The National Mortgage stocks were valued, at between £12,000 and £15,000.