DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17990, 8 April 1930, Page 8

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

OUTBREAK AT GORE. FIVE PREMISES BURNED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GORE, Monday. A disastrous fire at 5 o’clock on Sunday morning completely destroyed a large building in Lhe main street owned by Mr G. C. Hamilton, jeweller. The occupiers were George Brown (billiard saloon), Steel Bros, (grocers), Grants’ Ltd. (chemists), Chas. Steans j (tobacconist), Maurice Ilowe (hair- J dresser). The fire started in the billiard saloon upstairs, which was a roaring furnace before the brigade arrived. The fire evidently started long before its discovery. A strong easterly wind fanned the flames, and the firemen faced a difficult and dangerous task in negotiating the glass roof of the building. The water pressure was at first low, but was strengthened by cutting supplies to other parts of the town. The danger was increased by billiard tables falling through the floor to the shops below. A great save was effected by 11 a.m., the only other damage being to the lounge of the Cosy Tea Rooms, where the ceiling was partly destroyed and there was further damage by water. • The lire revived in Steel Bros.’ shop early this morning, but was quickly subdued. Great hardship falls on the tradesmen concerned, as there are no vacant premises in the town and all builders are already fully employed. Mr Steans has now suffered four fires and two floods during his business career. The insurance on the building was £4OOO in the Guardian Office, steans’ stock was insured for £BOO in the New Zealand Office; Howe, £45, in Manchester Office; Steel Bros., £2500, Queensland and Royal Office. Grant’s and Brown’s insurances arc not available.

Very little was saved owing to the extreme heat and the fall of heavy furnishings and glass. OUTBREAK AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, Monday. A Are occurred at midnight on Saturday in the premises of the Otago Dairy Products Cool Storage Co. When the brigade arrived the flames were breaking through the roof. The firemen were greatly handicapped by ammonia fumes.

The engine-room, containing the refrigerating plant, was completely gutted, but produce in the storage chambers was not damaged. The damage is largely structural. The building was insured for £19,000 in the Slate Office. It Is understood the contents were in--sured for about £IOO,OOO-