Destructive Fire in Manchester Street

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 79, 8 January 1887, Page 2

Destructive Fire in Manchester Street

-- — -•> — Last night the Wholesale, Drapery, and Grocery Company's store (the* property of Mr E. J. Cottrell) was totally destroyed by fire. Shortly before nine o'clock Mr Buff saw a flickering light in the shop, and knowing it had been closed for nearly three hours, he gave the alarm to Mx Pollock next door. A few minutes delay occurred before anything could be done, during which time the flames spread with fearful rapidity, and bursting out of the front window speedily wrapped the whole edifice in flames. Plenty of willing hands were soon on the spot, and the Manchester Rifles, who had been drilling near the scene, were marched on the ground at the double. As it was evident nothing could be done to'save Cottreii's store, the principal efforts were directed towards the salvage of Mr Pollock's building and furniture. The side nearest the fire was kept tolerably cool by water being dashed over it, and the suspension of a few wet blankets at the hottest places, while a few men on the roof hauled up water by means of buckets, and did useful service. In the meantime scores of willing hands were busily engaged in clearing out the furniture and stock, the whole of which was piled in utter confusion in the street, where Constable Meehan took charge of it. After about half an hour the flames began to decrease in their intensity, and all fear of further damage was set at rest. The shop on the upper side of the store destroyed had* a narrow escape, and was only saved by a small storehouse attached to Mr Cottreii's store being pulled down and removed. The store with its contents were totally consumed, and excepting a few articles taken out of the adjoining lean-to, nothing whatever was saved. An old building belonging to Mr Pollock was also pulled down, which, if left standing for the fire to get hold of, would have made it much more difficult to save the main building. The stock in Mr Cottreii's store was insured in the Equitable for £900, and the buildings for £100. The stock was valued at £1,600, and the buildiner about £200. The value was really muca beyond this, and Mr Cottrell loses upwards of £700. Mr and Mrs Cottrell were adsent iv Pulinerston at the time, having left after elosiug the shop at six o'clock. Mr Wilson, the storeman, who had gone to Ashhurst on business, has lost everything he possessed, nothing being left hut the clotnes he had on. On opening the safe (Milner) this morniug the books and papers were found to be quite uninjured. It is impossible for us to speak too highly of the spirited manner in which the men worked to check the fire and save property. Water had to be brought from private tank* because the few wells, adjacent were either dry or B<><>u became so from the unusual demauilsi>uth>!in. Still, eno.tgh was carried to prevent the block of Imikliugs consisting of Buckinghan) Pal.icrs Mr Stevaus', taiL>r, <ia I Mr Svi*ndseu, shoemaker, being destroyed. Among those who distinguished themselves by example ami precept were Messrs P. Thompson, Cart hew, Logan, G-ilmer, Hensen (3), Hodges, Keen, P.)rtbouse, Pringle, J. Brown, Hams Towler, Walter Stevens, F. Y. Lethbridge, Idnton. Reid, F. Fowles, Clapham, Bilderheek, Belfit, and Barkei, and others who names we have bpen unable to ascertain. Besidfts these even, women and little children lent valuable aid. Mr Pollock's effects were returned to the building immediately after all danger had passed, but the furniture was all more or less damaged by the rough usage it had received.