BIG FIRE IN, WELUNGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 39, 15 February 1905, Page 6

BIG FIRE IN, WELUNGTON.

WELLINGTON, January 26. At about four o'clock tine morning one of the most destructive fires which have occurred in Wellington broke out in the fine three-storeyed building occupied by the D.1.G., and in about an hour and a-half the valuable and comprehensive stock was completely reduced to ashes. The fire completely destroyed the valuable stock of the D.1.C., leaving merely the walls. It overlapped into the Economic, and much damage was caused there by fire, smoke, and water before it was stopped, and, curiously enough, whilst it raged with intense fury within the brick walla of the D.1.C., it spared the old wooden buildings on either side. Fortunately when the fire broke out there was comparatively no wind, otherwise it is hard to say where the limits of destruction would have been reached. The Economic state that they carry a stock of drapery, etc., valued at between £30,000 and £40,000, and they further state that nearly the whole of this is damaged by smoke and water, while a portion of the stock is completely destroyed. They are not yet able to estimate their loss. The insurances on the D.I.C. total £85,700, of which £30,000 is held at Home. The insurances are made up as follows: Stock, £60.000; building, £21,----500; fixtures, £3800; plate-glass windows, £400. Mr. Corrigan, the company's manager, estimates the value of the stock at about £ 70..000. The insurances on the D.I.C. are in the following offices: Lloyd's (London), £28,700; Central (London), £2000; Alliance. £4500; Commercial Union, £ 2000; Guardian, £ 2500; Liverpool, London, and Globe, £4000: London and Lancashire, JE15O0; Law Union and Crown, £1000: Northern, £3000; New Zealand, £G000; North British and Mercantile, £ 1500; North Queensland, .£2000; Norwich Union, £3000; National, £1000; Phoenix. £1500; Eoya!, £6000; Royal Exchange, £3500; Standard, £ 15C0: "South British, £2500; Sim, £4000; United, £1500; Yorkshire, £2000; Victoria, £500. The above are practically total loss, nothing being saved. The insurances on the Economic stock are as follows: Alliance, £2500; New Zealand, £2000; Royal Exchange, £2000; Commercial Union, £1600; Norwich Union, £1500; Guardian, £1500; Law Union and Crown, £1000; Liverpool, London, and Globe, £1000; South British, £1000; North British, £1000; Yorkshire, £1000; United. £600; Phoenix, £500: Victoria, £500; North Queensland, £500; total, £18,----200. It is estimated that the loss on the Economic stock is GO per cent, of the insurances.