BLAZE AT KAIAPOI

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10311, 21 January 1927, Page 5

BLAZE AT KAIAPOI

WAREHOUSE AND MERCHANT’S PREMISES ON FIRE. DAMAGE RUNS INTO THOUSANDS CHRISTCHURCH, Jan: 20. Damage expected to amount to some thousands of pounds was caused this afternoon by an outbreak oK fire at the big establishment at Blackwells, Ltd., Kaiapoi, importers and general merchants, on the corner of High and Raven Streets, Kaiapoi. The fire, which started m the workroom of the dressmaking department on the first floor, is supposed to have been caused by a heated electric iron, the current being on accidentally. The fire had a good hold on the dressmaking room when the alarm was sounded, and owing to the dense smoke the brigade was.considerably hampered in getting the fire under control. The dressmaking workroom and the furnishing department on the top floor were badly damaged by fire and water, and extensive damage was also caused by water .to the millinery, mantle and clothing department on the ground floor. Recently the dressmaking room, which was not permanently used for the purposes of dressmaking, ' was converted into a storeroom. It is understood that someone went into the workroom to use an electric iron, but finding the power cut off, went out. Later, however, the power came on, and it is surmised that in consequence of the switch not being turned off in the room the heated iron started the fire. - , . ~ The building was insured m the London and Lancashire insurance Co for £.11.500 and the contents for £l2 (XX) in tho same office. .