Destructive Fire. TWO BUILDINGS DETROYED.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 184, 4 February 1895, Page 2

Destructive Fire. TWO BUILDINGS DETROYED.

Shortly before one o'clock yesterday morning the inhabitants of Feilding were aroused by the alarming notes of the firebell, and from a glare noticeable in Ferguason street it was soon apparent one of the buildings there was on fire. In a very short time two or three hundred people were at the scene of the conflagration, which proved to be a building owned by Mr W. D. Nicholas, and occupied by Mrs D. Barrett, milliner and draper. The fire was noticed by Mr G. Flyger, who was passing along Fergusson street, and he immediately rang an alarm. The Brigade turned out promptly, but the fire, having a strong hold of tbe building before discovered, it was evident that the premises were doomed. The efforts of the brigade — which were strongly assisted by a large number of cirizens — were then directed towards preventing the spread of the flames to the adjoining building, that occupied by Mr John Prior, barrister and solicitor, but in this they were unsuccessful, although the two buildings were three feet six inches apart. Things were beginning to wear a very serious aspect, and there did not seem the slightest chance of preventing the spread of the fire to Mr Jas. Norman's butcher shop, and from thence to Mr Wm. Pearson's boot shop, but as Messes Brannvell Bros, store was built of concrete, it was hoped that the flames would at least be checked there. However, by the most strenuous exertions on the part of the brigade and others, and owing in a great measure to the fact that there was not the slightest breath of air stirring, the fire was confined to Mrs Barrett's and Mr Prior's premises, which were completely destroyed. The Brigade was working under considerable disadvantage, as owing to the length of hose through which the water had to be forced, viz., 700 feet, it was found that with two branches on, there was not sufficient power to throw the water on to the roofs, and in addition to this the hose on several occrsions burst, which necessitated delay. As there was a space of only two feet between Mr Prior's, offices and Norman's shop it can be imagined that a lot of pluck and energy was required to save the latter building, and although it became ignited many times the flames were as often quenched. A bucket brigade was organised at the rear of the fire, and by this means much good work was done. With the aid of ladders and planks the burning walls of Mr Prior's office were forced awaj 7 from Mr Norman's and from this out the fire was held completely under control. Captain Eade, and the officers and men of the Fire Brigade, are deserving of tbe highest praise for the determined way in which they fought the flames, especially when it is considered more than probable that if the fire had not been checked where it was, the rcmain--1 ing portion of the street as far as the Empire Hotel would have gone, as the water supply would not have held out, the well being pumped dry, as it was, between three and four o'clock. Although there were many persons rendering invaluable assistance, probably fcho most prominent workers were Messrs John Bartholomew and Thomas Foster— (old Brigade men) who were in charge of the two branches, and stood to their work most pluckily, wet blankets and buckets of water having to be continually thrown over them — and also J. Scott, T. H. James and T. Harris. The Mayor (Mr 1 W. A. Saudilauds), Mr Wilson (Stationmaster), Mr Matheson (Manager Colonial Bank), Mr J. H. Stevens (Postmaster), rendered good service in clearing books and papers from Mr Prior's office, whose safe, we may state, when opened disclosed tho contents to be quite uninjuredMr C. Bray, senr., Engineer to the Manchester Road Board, acted as Fire Inspector. Mr Barrett, who has been managing the Feilding branch for Mrs Barrett, has 1 been away in Wanganui since Thursday morning and an assistant, Miss Ross, 1 was left in charge. The rooms at the back of the shop were occupied by a ' young man named T. Howell who had ; retired at about 11.30 on Saturday night and was not aroused until the fire had a strong hold. ; The buildings, including those occupied by Mrs Barrett, Messrs Prior and Norman and the stables at the rear, were insured in the Commercial Union Fire Office, for which Mr E. Goodbehere is local agent, for i-500. Mrs Barret's ' stock was insured for .£7OO in the Palatina Insurance Fire Office, Messrs Halcombe and Son being the local agents. The contents of Mr Prior's office, about half of which were saved, were insured in the London, Liverpool and Globe Office for £80. The value of the buildings was con- ' siderably over the amount for which they were insured, and Mr Nicholas will be a loser to the extent of something over £200. Mr Nicholas will, however, commence to build at once.