FIRES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 12

FIRES.

.SYDNEY'S,UNENVIABLE RECORD. ANOTHER BkToUTBREAK. (By Cable.—PieM Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 30. Snow's big drapery emporium in Pitt street was completely gutted by fire last night. The fire presented a startling spectacle, and was-watched by fifty thousand people. / The outbreak was discovered at 10.45 p.m., and within an hour, in spite of the efforts of the combined forces of the local brigades, only the black- - «ned walls marked the spot where 'stood ono of the busiest hives of in- „ 'dustry in the city. 'Ainsworth's drapery establishment was seriously threatened, but the - brigade managed to confine the fire to one building. Pieces of,burning material were car- , Tied as far as Hordern's, and a constant watch had to he "kept on the big premises in th© vicinity. The origin of tho fire is believed to havo been an explosion on the' top floor, of- the building, which occupied a site of half an acre. It was owned by the trustees of the estate of ■ the late Samuel Hordern, and leased by Sydney Snow. Estimates of -the damage range as High as £60.000. The building,was in- . . ured for £25.000. (rasas association teuegkau.) WELLINGTON, January 30. A fire occurred in the machinery and fitters' shop of the railway maintenance works at Kaiwarra this morning. Tho.building was a wooden one, and very oldj and it was quickly destroyed. Tho main loss, however, was .in the destruction of the machinery, which was comparatively new;. The total loss is estimated at: about £3000. The cause of the. fire is unknown. It evidently started near the boiler-house. Whilst engaged: threshing w_eat on Messrs Busch Bros.' farm at Amberley on Thursday, Mr H. Storer's combine caught fire. Wilting assistance was ' was rendered by the employees, and tho flames were extinguished without any serious damage being done. The origin of the firo is a mystery,, as a - cross wind was blowing, dispelling the theory of a- spark from the engine, and' the bearings were not heated. There was no insurance on the plant.