FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 2842, 28 March 1872, Page 3

FIRE.

At about twenty-five minutes past six o’clock this morning the fire-bells gave the alarm that a fire had broken out in South Ward ; and the heavy smoke which rose from behind the tall chimney of Anderson and Mouatt’s flourmill left no doubt as to its locale, which proved to be Messrs Black and Thomson’s timber yard. On the arrival of the Fire Brigade, who mustered strongly and with their usual promptitude, the fire had almost reached its height. It had thorough possession of the large shed, under the roof of which were the office, enginehouse, and an immense quantity of timber, and was communicating with the stacked timber, which was separated from the building by what may be termed dray passages. Three branches were laid on, and, with a plentiful supply of water, the brigade were not long in beating back the fire to the shed, where it was a matter of difficulty to cope with it, because of the heat and dense smoke, and the apparent uusafety of the roof. However, the water was turned on stack after stack of timber until the sides of the shed were approachable, when all the streams were directed to the body of the fire, which was fairly got under before eight o’clock. The origin of the fire is unknown ; but there is little doubt that some sparks from the engine must have fallen among the dry timber and ignited it. The shed in which the fire originated was well stored with timber of a description calculated to burn easily and quickly ; and its present appearance shows that the body of fire there must have been very great. The heat was intense enough to burst out the brick casing of the boiler, and literally eat away its felt covering. Assuming that the general theory as to the origin of the fire is correct, the wonder is that its prepence was not discovered earlier. The loss of Messrs Black and Thomson is estimated at L3OOO, which is fully covered by insurance, the JS’ew Zealand office having a risk of LIOOO, and the Liverpool and Globe, L 2,000.