BIG FIRE IN SIDNEY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1972, 31 January 1914, Page 5

BIG FIRE IN SIDNEY.

DUE TO AN EXPLOSION. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £45,000. FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE WATCH THE FLAMES. By Mesraph-Prejs Assoelatlon-OopyrlsM Sydney, January 30. _ Last night a fire broke out- in Snow'e drapery emporium in Pitt Street. The building was completely gutted. The startling spectacle was watched by 50,000 people. The outbreak was discovered at 10.45 o'clock, and within an hour, in spite of tho efforts of tho combined force of jocal brigades, only the blackened walls marked where stood one of the busiest hives of industry in the city. Ainsworth's drapery establishment was seriously threatened, but tho brigade managed to confine the fir© to tho one building. Pieces of burning material wero carried as far as Hordorn's, and a com stant watch had to be kept en tho big premises in the vicinity. The origin of the fire is believed to bo duo to an explosion on the top floor of Snow's building, which occupied half an acre. The property was owned by tbo trustees of the estate of the late Samuel Hordern. and was leased by Sidney Snow. The damage is estimated at £45,000. The building was insured for £25,000. LATER ESTISIATE~OF DAMAGE. (Rec. January 31, G. 35 a.m.) Sydney, January 30. . Estimates of the damage caused by the fire at Snow's Emporium range as high as £00,000,