FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 352, 29 July 1875, Page 3

FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

A few minutes before three o'clock this morning the fire-bell at the Market place rang out the alarm, shortly followed by that at the Lichfield street station. It was soon discovered that the store of Mr W. J. Fisher, grocer, High street, was on fire. The steamer from the Market place station was first on the ground, and was placed at the Cathedral square tank; that of the Lichfield street being fixed at the Matheson's Agency tank. Mr Superintendent Harris wisely resolved not to effect an entrance to the building till steam was got up, and the engines in play when the doors were then forced and a stream of water directed on the fhmes, which speedily subdued the fire, and what at first had every appearance of becoming an extensive fire was quickly got under. Luckily the walls of the building were of brick, which prevented the fire from gaining a hold previous to the arrival of the engines. The building, which is owned by the Rev T. R, Fisher, is insured in the Victoria for £.1200, and the stock of Mr W. J. Fisher in the National for £7OO, and the New Zealand for £3OO. It is supposed that the fire originated owing to the rats getting amongst the wax matches, and causing their ignition.