FIRES.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1064, 24 November 1877, Page 3

FIRES.

Shortly after one o'clock this morning the Lichfield street fire-bell rang out the alarm, which was quickly taken up by the Chester street station. The largo body of flame to ihe eastward seemed to betoken a fire of some serious nature, and the brigade mustered with commendable promptitude. It was found to have originated in a six-roomed cottage facing the East town belt, occupied by Mr Harbottie, which formed one of a row of houses extending from Cashel street along the Belt. Mr Superintendent Harris at once placed the steam fire engine in position at the Gloucester street bath, the hand engine, which was first on the spot, being placed at the water tank opposite the Eastern Hotel. The fire had got too firm a hold of the house in which it originated to save it or any of its contents, and it was only just possible to get out the children and servants. The efforts of the Brigade were thon directed towards saving the house next door, belonging to Mr Houlihan, from which all the furniture had been removed. This fortunately, owing to the absence of any wind, they were enabled to do, and also to prevent the flames extending to the one on the right hand side. In about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour water was got from the steamer and all further danger was at an end. It is not known how the fire originated, but it was first observed in the back kitchen. The house was burnt to the ground, and, as stated, little or none of the furniture was saved.

This morning a second fire broke out in a stable and washhouse attached to the residence of Mrs Scrivenov, North belt. Fortunately the neighbours were enabled to extinguish it before it spread to the house. The only damage done was the burning down of the shed and washhouse in which the fire originated.