BUILDINGS DESTROYED

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 129, 26 May 1932, Page 5

BUILDINGS DESTROYED

In Wellington Fire

FANNED BY STRONG GALE

FOUR SHOPS ARE INVOLVED

(Per Press. Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. A fire which broke out in a residence in Rintoul Street just before 1 o’clock this morning rapidly spread in a strong southerly gale.

Before the flames were subdued a block of buildings between Harvey’s Lane on the southern side and Stoke Street on the northern, was completely destroyed.

The outbreak is believed to have occurred in one of the two houses on the southern side of the block, and in a very short space of time the flames were shooting skyward, illuminating the whole district.

Four shops were destroyed. They formed a two-storied block, occupied by Mrs. E. M. Turner (grocer), James Booth (dairy supplier), Burns (butcher) and an Indian fruiterer.

Immense showers of sparks and pieces of burning debris, which were swept northward down Rintoul Street by a high wind proved a continual source of danger and anxiety to the residents. Many small outbreaks in fences, outhouses and roofs, occurred, but were promptly suppressed. Details as to the occupants of the houses and of any insurances are unavailable. ONE FIRM’S INSURANCE Later. The firm of Lewis and Josephs had an insurance cover of-£2780. FURTHER DETAILS OCCUPIERS AND INSURANCES (Per Press Association! WELLINGTON, This Day. The Fire Brigade was set a severe task in getting the better of the outbreak, which demolished a block of buildings containing four shops and residental quarters, also two aparthouses alongside, and threatened others, some of which are scorched and blackened, but none seriously damaged.

Besides the threat of fire from seas of sparks carried off and fanned by the wind there was the added danger of flying sheets of roofing iron which ever and anon were carried up into the air and thrown hither and thither with the gusts that bore them. The main building was two storied and owned by Messrs. Lewis and Joseph.

The occupiers were C. J. Burns and family, who ran a butchery shop and were not insured; Dahya Bala (Indian fruiterer) who also lived in the premises, and whose insurance is not available; A. F. Turner, with his wife and family, who carried on a grocery business, and James Booth, with his wife and child, proprietor of a dairy business who had an insurance of £3OO on the stock and furniture in the London and Lancashire Office.

One of the apartment houses was of ten rooms, owned and occupied by G. Bartholomew, wife and family. The house -was. insured for £lOOO in the 1.0. A. The furniture cover is not available. The other apartment house, of 11 rooms, was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Morris and family, the house being insured for £l2OO and the contents for £3OO in the Commercial Union.