FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 236, 12 March 1875, Page 2

FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

Shortly after half-past six o'clock last Thursday the Lichfield street fire-bell gave the alarm of fire, which was speedily taken up by the Market-place station and responded to with commendable alacrity by the men of the brigade. At first it was stated that the fire was in Tuam street, but the dense volumes of smoke pouring across High street in front of the new buildings of Messrs Strange and Co. soon showed the locality of the fire, which proved to be in the shop of Mr Hulbert, hatter and hosier, High street, bounded on the westward by Morton's Commercial Hotel, and to the eastward by the Dunedin Club Hotel, both buildings being of wood and built quite close up to the burning shop. what we can learn of the outbreak of the fire, the place was* closed at the usual hour, six o'clock, Mr Hulbert not residing on the premises. Shortly after that hour, smoke wai observed by some of the resident!

in Morton's Hotel to be issuing from the top story windows, mainly from that nearest Morton's Hotel, in which the finishing of the bats was, we believe, conducted. So soon as this waß observed, the alarm was given from the Lichfield street fire bell and quickly answered. The Dreadnought hand engine was the first to put in an appearance, the speed with which this was got to the fire being highly commendable. Mr Superintendent Harris at once saw the danger of the fire spreading through a closely built block of wooden buildings, and with great foresight and judgment ordered the hose from the hand engine, which had been placed in position at Matheson's tank, to be laid down the entrance to Mr Page's stables, and thence up a right of way to the back of the burning shop. Thißwas done, and the fire was thus checked in rear, and prevented from spreading to the pile of small outhouses in the rear, which if once caught would have carried the fire right round the entire block. Three steamers were speedily on the ground, the Deluge being second, followed by the Pioneer anc' the Extinguisher. As has been the case at previous fires, we have again to remark upon the unfitness of the horses attached to the Market Place engine. Last evening they were unable to take it at a greater speed than a man could run without hurrying himself very much. Notwithstanding this drawback, the whole plant was in position and at work in nineteen minutes after the alarm had been given, which was exceedingly creditable. The Dreadnought and Deluge were stationed at Matheson's tank, and the Extinguisher at Wilson and Sawtell's, with two branches from each. Of course, the great effort of Mr Harris was to save the buildings on each side of Hulbert's, and to confine the fire within the narrowest limits. Aided by the efforts of his men and officers, to whom, as a whole, too much praise c *unot be given for the admirable manner in which they worked and battled inch by inch with the flames for the mastery, Mr Harris succeeded in doing this. Several times the fire burst through the weather-boarding on the side next to the Dunedin Club hotel, and threatened to defy the utmost efforts ot the firemen to extinguish it. However, by dint of playing one branch from the top of the Dunedin Club and the other from the level of the street the danger was averted. Beaten back on this side the flames next came through the roof, and threatened to reach Morton's Hotel and the small store occupied by McConnell Brothers next door. A lodgment was, however, effected on the verandah by the firemen, and through the front windows a volume of water was played upon the mass of flame in the upper story. This had the desired effect, and in a short space of time tho brigade were masters of the situation. Only a very small portion of the stock in trade of Mr Hulbert, which was a very large and valuable one, estimated at £2OOO, was got out, the remainder being either burnt or damaged by water to such an extent as not to be saleable. So far as we can ascertain the insurances are as follows:—Building, £SO, in the New Zealand; stock, £4OO in the National, and £6OO in the South British. Mr Hulbert estimates his loss at close upon £IOOO. The work done by the brigade last night deserves more than passing notice when we come to consider that they were able to confine the fire within such narrow limits in a closely-built portion of the town, and in the face of the buildings themselves beinej of the very flimsiest and slightest construction. Had the fire once been allowed to get firm hold of the block the destruction of property would have been enormous, and the citizens of Christchurch have to thank the energy, pluck, and determination of the Fire Brigade, added to the wisdom shown by the Superintendent, for being spared a most serious calamity. The fire police under Captain Mitchell, and the regular police under Mr Inspector Buckley, were early on the ground, and rendered signal service by keeping a clear space for the firemen to work in. Beyond some trifling damages to windows, and the consequent damage arising from the water, the other portions of the block were uninjured.