Whangārei's iconic, 117-year -old ''Old Town Hall'' has been badly damaged in a fire this afternoon. Photo : Northern AdvocateWhangārei's iconic, 107-year -old ''Old Town Hall'' has been severely damaged in a fire that took hold of much of its second floor and destroyed its landmark clock tower. Within minutes, flames could be seen through the windows on the north side of the second storey. Only minutes later flames could be seen licking at the base and seconds later engulfing the ornate clock tower in the centre of the gabled, tiled roof. While the inside of the building burned, and its large sash windows were no match for the flames, the former Town Hall's exterior masonry walls held fast.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 10, 2019 02:15 UTC