Serious Fire in Sydney

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 72, 4 December 1890, Page 2

Serious Fire in Sydney

[ PER UNITED PHE3B ASSOCIATION. | Sydnky, December 2. A serious fire began to-night at Gibbs, Bright and Co.'s wharf. Darling Harbour. Their kerosene bond, containing thirty thousand cases, equal to a quarter of a million gallons of oil, caught fire, and was soon completely demolished. The burning oil spread all over the wharf, most of which was burned. Some large piles of timber are on fire, but there is no danger of the blaze spread ng to the adjoin'ng property The damage is estimated at £50,000. The amount of insurance ;s at present unknown. December 3. From the ©utset it was seen there was no chance of saving: the kerosene bond, where the fire originated, and the effort s of the fire brigades were consequently directed in saving ad-joining property. The heat was so intense that the firemen had to erect a shield to work behind, but in spite of this protection several of the men were burnt about the hands and faces. Between the destructive bush firea and the ravages of the rabbits, a number of the squatters have been compelled to throw up their runs. . A number of vessels lying at the wharf were taken out in the stream for safety. (ribbs, Bright, and Co.'s loss is now estimated nt £30,000. The building and wharves destroyed were fully covered by insurance, but it h not yet known whether the kerosene was insured. Three hundred and four thousand gallons of kerosene were, destroyed in Gibbs, Bright and Co.'s bond. The origin of the fire, which is still burning, is a mystery. In consequence of the loss of this large stock the price of kerosene ha§ ar sen l£d p r gall' n.