BIG FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 7

BIG FIRES.

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. . THE MELBOURNE POST OFFICE SUFFERS. TOTAL LOSSES £60,000. DT TELEGRAPH —ritESS ASSOCIATION—COrTRNffIT. (Rcc. Deo. 1, 4.30 p.m.) Melbourne, December 1. A destructivo fire started at ten o'clock last night in Clark's, fancy goods importers, tivc-story warehouse, Elizabeth, Street, artjoining the rear of the Commonwealth Telegraph and Money-Order Offices. The outbreak spread with tremendous rapidity, and enveloped Wallach's largo furniture warehouse, the Dux Cyclo Works, and a number of smaller places, but by an oarly hour this morning the brigades had obtained the mastery. Clark's and Wallach's buildings wero practically gutted, and serious damage was done to tho Commonwealth property, including tho destruction of thousands of pounds' worth of telephone wiro and material. Various adjoining properties also suffered soverely. Tho whole city was brilliantly lighted, an immense concourso watching. A crowded vorancja opposite tho outbreak collapsed, and several persons were injured. (Hoc. Dec. 2, 1.52 a.m.) Melbourne, December 1. The fire was tho largest here for twelve years. Tho value of the property destroyed is closo on £60,000. An official report states that tho Postal Department lost £16,000 worth of matorial. It is feared that considerable public inconvenience will be caused by the loss of telephone instruments and wire.