BLAZE AT STRATFORD

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5610, 6 May 1919, Page 3

BLAZE AT STRATFORD

DESTRUCTION OF BUSINESS CENTRE MANY FLACKS DEMOLISHED. (By Telegraph.— I’ress Association.) STRATFORD, this day. A big fire occurred late last night in Stratford. The promises of the following were destroyed;— Sheehan, tobacconist. Sladdcn and Palraei - , civil, engineers. Ford, bootmaker. 1 Finnerty, estate agent. Richardson, grocer. AY. G. Fargie, estate agent. Tyror, solicitor, McCluggage and Co., estate agents. Cook, tailor. J. D. Healy, architect. On Kee, grocer. Harris. fishmonger. Barker, refreshment rooms. Stratford Farmers’ Co-Operative Stores. Foster’s bootmaker's shop. The buildings were on the railway re serve near the railway line. LATER. The fire broke ont shortly alter midnight on the cast side of Broadway spreading quickly and destroying a large portion of the lilock before it was ar vested. The buildings were all of wood. The fire originated in Shoahan’s tobafi conist shop. The next building, occupied by Mr Finnerfcy, estate agent, was destroyed, and also the block oil! buildings known as York Chambers, all ov which wore practically destroyed. The Central Co-Op. Grocery Stores were damaged severely, as was also Foster’s boot shop at the other end. A fortunate change of wind and the splendid work of the fire brigade undoubtedly saved the fire from taking the whole street to Newton and King's corner, and possibly beyond, tiro fire being arrested at the Central Co-Opera-tive Stores on one side and Foster’s orthe other. S'o far the origin of the fire is a mystery. The lessee of the shop where the fire first broke ont is T. J- Sheahan, a returned soldier, who is at present at Rctorua-, his brother managing the business for him. At a few minutes to twelve Dr Steven passed the buildings when everything appeared to be right, but just after midnight flames burst forth in a great volume. Sheahan’s buildings was owned by Dr 'I. R. Paget, now of Palmerston North, Fllnnerty’s by Mr AVake, solicitor, Auckland; and the York Chambers block by Ebenczer Burgess, now a resident of Hamilton. The insurances so far available amount to £2755. fire at PAHIATUA. GRANDSTAND DESTROYED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PAHIATUA. this day. At an early hour this morning the gi andstand of the Pahiatna A. and ! Show grounds was totally destroyed by fire, together with their eouteius, valued at £IOOO. To erect a new building will cost over £IOOO. Ihe oni> insurance was £3OO.