LYTTELTON.

Auckland Star, Volume X, Issue 1705, 5 August 1875, Page 3

LYTTELTON.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.] Wednesday, TJbe Burning of the Mitre Hotel.

On Tuesday a fire broke out at the Mitre Hotel at 8.30 pm. It arose from the servants' rooms, and it is supposed to have originated through a candle being left alight and catching the curtains, thus communicating with the roof. The Fire Brigade and police worked nobly. At one time it was thought the fire must proceed up Canter-bury-street, but,, owing to the great exertions used at the blank space between the Mitre and Baddet's stables, its progress was checked in that direction. Meanwhile, a number of people had been employed in pnlling down Mr Robinson's sailmaker's shop, which was on fire. McDonald's houses next door, had a very narrow escape, and was on fire several times, but owing to the strenuous exertions of the brigade and other assistants, was sav.ed. Had the wind been in any other quarter, or a little stronger, no doubt the fire must have spread. The stock and fnrniture are insured jointly by Messrs Saunders, Ward and Co,, for £650 in the National office, but it could not be ascertained if the building, which is the property of Mr J. J. Peacock, was fully insured. There was an immense glare that illuminated all Lyttelton, and had it not been for the constables and the fire police, a great deal of valuable property would have been stolen, and, as it was, there was much damage from breakage, &c. The Mitre, and Mr. Robiason's shop, are utterly destroyed, but no other damage done. The Mitre was built in 1852, and escaped the great fire of October, 1870. £ early every inhabitant of Lyttelton was present. The Christchurch fire-engine was sent for at 8.45, but the order was countermanded. All damage was over at 10 p.m. The estimated damage is £6000, partially covered by insurance, the National and British being the sufferers. [The insurances are : _South British, £150; New Zealand, £350 ; Norwich Union, £600; National, £750.]