The premises of F N Andrews Furnishers Ltd, 184 - 190 Rangitikei Street, were destroyed by fire at about 2am, 13 July 1977. One of the oldest family businesses in Palmerston North, F N Andrews Furnishers Ltd was started in 1902 by Alfred Andrews, Grandfather of Directors Maurice, John and Earle Andrew (at time of the fire), on a half acre section in Rangitikei Street. In 1939 the company built a 'modern' two storey shop. The fire took about an hour to control, and was the latest in a series of burglary - blazes in the city. Andrews had only been open for a month after more than $50,000 worth of renovations had been done.