FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2097, 24 January 1908, Page 3

FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

EXTENSIV IS DAMAGE

BLENHEIM, Jan. 23.

One of tho largest tires right in the heart of Blenheim broke out-early tliis morning somewhere in Mr Jus. Bonuing’s block of wooden buildings, between the Bank of New Zealand and the Masonic hotel. Tho alarm was not given till 5.30, but it it thought -the fire must luivo been burning since as early ns 3. When the brigade reached the scene of the conflagration the flames were sweeping across Market street, tossed by a fairly strong southerly wind. It appeared that tht outbreak had occurred downstairs under .Messrs Anstiee and Co’s drapery establishment. It was soon seen that tho brick wall of the Bank premises, which buildings embrace also a tobacconist's (Patchett’s), and tailor’s (lies) shop, would probably stay tho progress of tho hr© northwards. Indeed, after all is said and done, the fire only stopped where it met in each quarter a stubborn wall of brick. Benning’s big grocery establishment, to say nothing of Reynolds’ cyclo shop (immediately south of Anstico and Co.’s) was soon fully ablaze, and the brigade’s attention was concentrated on the Masonic hotel wooden building to tbo south, across Wynen street, and the premises of Miller and McKay, ironmongers, .across Market street, west- of Benning’s. Very soon the hotel also was ablaze, and tho heat in tho narrow streets was overpowering, the firemen being often compelled to retreat- to cover. The wind being still fresh from the south-east, it- was fen-red the flames would secure n strong hold of Miller and McCabe’s shop, and so go westward and engulf tho Club stables and other buildings. However, the efforts of the brigade were successful in this direction, only the verandah being destroyed. Practically nothing was saved from either Benning’s, Reynolds’, or Anstico and Co.’s. Along 'Wynne street- the fire swept everything as far -as Bonrko’s brick wool store (on tho northern side), and A. Sowman’s-grocery shop on the south. Shortly before 7 a frecli outbreak occurred in the roof of the Methodist Church ,about 500 yards to the leeward of the main fire. This was speedily extinguished by means of a chemical engine.

The fire had been practically conquered by 6.45, after the brigade had worked at it for only an hour. Still, however, it. was in need of constant and vigorous attention. The telephone service was temporarily disarranged. The gas connection was also destroyed, and was not available for power and other purposes until about 10 o’clock. It is suggested by many of tho early fire-lighters' that the outbreak originated in a kitchen connected with tho Geisha ten rooms, immediately over Reynolds’ shop, _-a block of buildings occupied by Messrs J. Beiinings, , Reynolds arid Co., -and Mrs Anstico, and owned by Benning. It was erected 23 years ago. The Masonic premises were 33 years old, owned by Geo. Houhlsworth. The former licensee, Jas. Pontiy, who only last month sold out L o George Newport, of Waira-rapa, had seven years of the first lease, with a purchasing clause at about £4OOO. Tho lease has yet about half to run. It will be recollected that the Masonic hotel was made tho subject of -a test case as to the powers of licensing committees ill ordering new buildings, when -it was held by Mr Justice Cooper that the hotel, having been “retired” in accordance with the requirements of the authorities, the committee could not order the re-building. The premises occupied by TV. ?.laddern, fruiterer, and .J. Towman, tobacconist, immediately south of i;he Masonic hotel, were the property of H. S. Bush, the first licensee of the Masonic hotel. These shops were gutted by -a fire entering from the back down “Wynne street. The properties destroyed, were TV. Young’s bakery and old sample -rooms belonging to Denning, right opposite. The insurances so -far as ca-n he ascertained are as follows: —Jas. Benning’s buildings, £6OO in the Royal Exchange, £4CO in the London -and Lancashire, £I2OO in the National; Benning’s stock, £ISOO in the Liverpool, London and-Globe, £2OO -in the Royal Exchange; Benning’s sample rooms, £l2O in the Standard. Anstice and Co.’s stock, £IOOO in the London, Liverpool and Globe; TV. B. Young, baker, £275 on the building in the Phoenix ; Masonic hotel, £950 in the State Office on the building, and £250 on stock; Bush, buijdings, £4OO in -the National; Somman, tobacconist, £IOO on the 6tock in the State Office •