Editing 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake (section)

=== Fires ===
Within minutes fires broke out in a few chemist shops in Hastings Street, Napier.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The 1931 Earthquake {{!}} Napier City Council |url=https://www.napier.govt.nz/napier/about/history/napier-earthquake-1931/ |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=napier.govt.nz}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The fire brigade almost had the first fire under control when the second broke out in a shop at the back of the Masonic Hotel.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} The fire continued to spread through adjoined wooden buildings, which led to the entire town being engulfed in flames by the afternoon.<ref name=":0" /> The wind at this point also picked up strength and began blowing from the east, pushing the fires back over the city.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} The day was hot and dry which increased the fire's ability to spread. With water mains broken, the brigade was unable to save many buildings. Attempts were made at pumping water from the sea, but these failed.<ref name=":0" /> Fire engines at Napier's central fire station were covered in debris from the earthquake which made them unavailable for use.<ref name=":5" /> Pumping water from Clive Square, they were able to stop the fires spreading south. Only a few buildings in the central Napier area survived. Some withstood the earthquake only to be gutted by fire. Trapped people had to be left to burn as people were unable to free them in time.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} It took until the following afternoon for the main fires to go out,<ref name=":0" /> but the ruins still smouldered for several days.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In Hastings, the fires were quickly brought under control.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}