GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3063, 21 April 1881, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

fß't TELEGBAPH.j

Auckland, April 11

At three o'clock this morning a disastrous fire broke out in Queen-street, the scene being the block occupied by Mrs Coster (milliner). Whitehead (tobacconist), Cole (basketmaker), Mason Bros., (hairdressers), T. Harris (tobacconist), and Patterson's store and stables. Constable Dews, who was on duty on the wharf, saw the fire suddenly burst out as if it were an explosion, and immediately the whole of tbe shed near Whitehead's bowling saloon was in flames. The fire cou'd not be reached from Queen-street, and tbe constable could do but little. The Fire Brigade we quickly out, and played on the premises. Before the Brigade had got well to work, Harris's and Mason's shops in Queen-street were in a blaze. The Auckland Savings Bank adjoining was in danger, and every effort was made to keep the fire back fro-n it. After a great struggle th fire in Mason's and Harris , was got under, and the bank was then safe ; but in the meantime the fire spread in the other direction, catching in turn Whitehead's, Costers, Patterson's stables, and Payne's watchmaker. The next effort to put the fire out was made in Payne's shop, which had been cleared of its goods by the Salvage Corps, and the Brigade succeeded by chopping down the partition and a copious supply of water. The buildings between the bank and Payne's shop, being all old wooden structures, were continually breaking out afresh. The firemen had great difficulties to contend with, owing to the falling beams, and having to work underneath the verandahs. A small hosiery establishment which ignited from the sparks was put out before any damage was done. Fortunately no horses were in the stables. But little or nothing was paved from any of tbe shops except Payne's. The fire burned brightly over two hours, when it assumed a scene of smouldering ruins.

Later

The fire destroyed the following premises : — Whitehead's, tobacconist; Cole's basketmaker; Mason, hairdressers ; Harris, tobacconist ; Mrs Coster, milliner?, and Patterson's stables. The fire sr cad so rapidly, and the buildings bc'ng dry wood, that none of the conter',9 were saved. Payne's jeweller's shop wps damaged, and the etock was carried out by the Salvage Corps, but the buildiug was saved by the exertions of the Brigade. The progress of the fire was then stayed. The fire removes another of the few remaining old wooden blocks of buildings in Queen street.

Tbe insurances are— South British, £1000 ; Colonial, £800 ; United, £100; Northern, £100; Norwich, £100; Union, £54.

The shops were owned by Mr Carstow, E.M., and Mr CastelJi, and it is believed ! th are uninsured.

Another Fire.

The residence of Mr Hancock, of the United Service Hotel, at Epsomi was totally destroyed by fire last night. Mr Hancock was absent. Mrs Hancock got up to attend to a child, when she accidently set fire to the curtains and the flames spread so rapidly that she only escaped in her night-dress, everything being lost. There was an insurance of £1400 in the New Zealand office on the house and furniture, but it will not half cover the loss.