Five Shops and Dwelling Destroyed.
EMERALD, February 21.— Another devastating fire, similar to that of four years ago, was narrowly averted this morning at 2.30, when a fire broke out in the centre of a line of wooden shops in the main street of Emerald, on the western end of the town.
A warning was given by the railway engine crews which were getting ready for the arrival of the trains, both from the west and east, which arrive around this hour. Save for this timely warning, the fire might have been much more disastrous. As it was, if It were not lor the local fire brigade, the Railway Hotel, J. Goggin’s chemist shop and newsagency, M. Davis draper’s shop, H. Barry’s barber shop, Winchcombe Carson’s office and another vacant shop would have been destroyed. The fire appeared to commence at the rear of the buildings. It had a good hold and was easily discernible when the alarm was given all over the town.
Fortunately, there was no breeze. The flames rose directly upward, and rapidly spread, to the adjoining shops and residence of Mr. H.H. Penrose, who was absent visiting bis son on his property at Blackwater, and who Is the owner of all the buildings destroyed. The buildings had been erected many years ago.
Within an hour five shops, including the residence mentioned, were burnt to the ground. The Grand Hotel on the opposite corner, at one period was In danger, but thanks to there being no wind, this escaped the flames. All worked hard against great odds. At one time the spectators shouted a warning, when the flames were undermining the upper story of the Railway Hotel, where they were using every effort to stop it from spreading. Time and time again It seemed as though the fire would win, but, finally, it was got under control, due to the Fire Brigade and assistance by Acting Sergeant Cronk and Constable Ash.
The buildings destroyed were Mr. Penrose’s residence, a vacant shop on the comer; J. Birch’s jeweller; a butcher’s shop; Dumpleton’s bakery and a vacant shop next to Badry’s barber shop; numbering five shops and one residence.
Syd and Harry Dumpleton inside their bakery shop 1939
Sources
Trove.nla.gov.au – Townsville Daily Bulletin, Saturday 22 February 1941, page 6
John Oxley Library
