EXTENSIVE FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 331, 5 July 1875, Page 4

EXTENSIVE FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

{Argvs, June 22.) Shortly before twelve o’clock last night an extensive and destructive fire broke out in King street, which resulted in the store of Messrs Thomas Luke and Co, tea merchants, being entirely destroyed, and that of Messrs Francis and M'Pherson, general merchants, being partially destroyed, the bare walls only being left standing. The fire broke out in the lower floor of Messrs Luke and Go’s, and spread so rapidly that in a very short space of time the whole building was in flames. The alarm was given about ten minutes to twelve o’clock, smoke being seen issuing from the rear of the buildings. The Metropolitan brigade was quickly on the spot, followed by several of the suburban brigades, and without loss of time several streams of water were directed upon the flames. Owing to the inflammable nature of the goods in the stores the fire was so fierce that any attempt to save the place was soon found to be useless, and all the efforts of the firemen were directed to prevent the spread of the fire to the adjoining buildings. The stores of Messrs Luke and Co and of Messrs Francis and M'Pherson were under the one roof, and in thesame building, though separated by a strong dividing wall. The building was of stone, and was threestoried. In Luke’s store there was a large quantity of tea, and a shipment of candles was received into the store only a few days ago. In Francis and M'Pherson’s store there was a quantity of general merchandise, and in the lower floors a quantity of kerosene was stored. The flames once setting fire to these highly inflammable goods, the attempt to extinguish them was utterly hopeless. Within half an hour from the first alarm the fire had extended from the floor of the first store up through the different stories, and increasing in fierceness and volume, burst through the roof. The flames rose several feet above the roof, and it was found impossible to prevent the fire spreading to Francis and M'Pherson’s store. The roof fi. it caught, and the fire burnt downward* The interior of the two

buildings was one mass of flames, which were bursting out through the windows in the front and rear. There was a strong north-east wind blowing, which sent showers of sparks over the adjoining buildings, and it was at one time feared that the fire might spread even further. Fortunately, the fire was prevented from assuming more alarming dimensions. There was a strong pressure of water on, directions having been given to the turncocks immediately on the first alarm to provide a full force. The firemen exhibited great daring. A number of them were posted on the roof of the store next to Francis’s, occupied by Messss Russell and Gillespie, flour merchants, and notwithstanding their immediate proximity to the flames, showers of sparks falling all about them, they kept their station, and succeeded in confining the fire to the two stores mentioned. The safety of this store was, however, partly due to the fact that it was several feet lower than the others, and the flames could not reach the roof. By half-past one o’clock it was apparent that the fire was so far mastered that it could be confined to the two stores, but these were gutted from top to bottom. It is impossible yet to ascertain the extent of the damage, although the loss must be very considerable, as both stores were well filled with valuable goods. The fire must have destroyed several thousand pounds worth of stock. It is believed that both Messrs Luke and Co and Messrs Francis and Co were insured, though to what extent we cannot at present say. The Hon J, G. Francis has been peculiarly unfortunate, as within a fortnight he has twice been a sufferer from fires. On last Monday fortnight, the Victoria Sugar Works, in which he was largely interested, were burnt, and last night his own store was destroyed. The Metropolitan, Hotham, Emerald-hill, Carlton, and other brigades were on the spot, and ah' did good service. There was a strong body of police, under Sub-inspector Montford, on the ground, who kept the crowd back from interfering with the operations of the firemen. The origin of the fire is not known. It was stated that some of the employe* in Messrs Luke and Co’s were at work there until about eleven o’clock, or not more than an honr before the fire broke out. Messrs Luke and Co were, we have ascertained, insured to the extent of £13,000 in the following companies Australian Alliance, £2000; London and Lancashire, £3000; National, £3000; Northern, £2000; Victoria, £3OOO. Both the stores were the property of the Hon J. G, Francis. By the exertions of the fire brigades the fire in the store of Messrs Francis and Co was confined to the upper and second stories. The goods in the upper storey were entirely destroyed, and those in the lower were partially so. There were, it appears, openings in the dividing wall between the two stores, by which the dimes extended into the second store. When we went to press the fire was still burning, though well under control, and confined to the one building.