BIG FIRE AT WAIROA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2635, 18 October 1909, Page 5

BIG FIRE AT WAIROA.

THREE SHOPS DESTROYED

(Ter Press Association.! WAIROA, Oct. 16

A fire occurred on the Marine Parade. near the south end of the Wairoa bridge, between 12 and 1 this morning, resulting in the total distinction of a shop belonging to Miss Powdrell, and occupied by an Assyrian named George Hamia, fancy dealer, and a Chinese laundry. The premises of W. Horton, tailor, next door, soon caught, also the Dominion store (A. Halerow). Everything was burnt where the fire started, but considerable stock was saved from Halcrow’s and Horton’s. At one time Potham’s carriage factory and three other promises were in danger, and all the stocks were taken out, being a good deal damaged by rain, which fell shortly after. There is no clue to the origin except that the fire started in the window of the Assyrian’s shop. When the.fire,was first-seen by Mr. G. Arundel, the flames had a good hold. They spread quickly, and the occupants of the building were half suffocated with smoke. Assistance soon came after the alarm, hut could not save the adjoining buildings. These premises were situated opposite the bridge on the Wairoa side of the river. The insurances are as follows: Miss Powdrell, building, £250 in the Royal office ,' Geo. Hanna, stock and furniture, £l5O in the Smith British; Mrs. Biggs, building, £IOO in the State office: W. Horton, stock and furniture, £175 in the State office : A. Hallcrow, building, £220 in the North British, stock £426, and furniture £6o,_ olso m the North British. Total, £l3vo.