SERIOUS FIRE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1607, 15 April 1879, Page 3

SERIOUS FIRE.

Shortly after ten o'clock last night the Lichfield street fire bell gave the alarm of fire, and dense volumes of smoke in the direction of Lichfield street at once showed the spot to T)e the large bonded warehouse of Messrs Edwards, Bennett and Co. This was a galvanised iron and timber building situate to the eastward of the warehouses of the same firm, and at the time of the fire fully stocked with general merchandise. It was used as a bonded store, and up to the time of the fire liad not been opened for some days, so that it ia a mystery how it could have caught fire. Those earliest on the spot first discovered the fire in the gable end, of the northern side, facing towards Bedford row. While this seemed to be the principal seat of the fire, however the smoke was pouring out of the front on Lichfield street, evidencing that there was a considerable body of fire all through the building. The end where the fire commenced, or at least where it was strongest at the commencement, was filled with liquor, which burnt fiercely and for some time defied all the efforts of the brigade. The members of the brigade were speedily on the spot, under Mr Superintendent Harriß,and the engines were placed as follows :—Deluge, at Wilson, Sawtell and Co's tank; Extinguisher, at the Matheson'a Agency's tank, and the Dreadnought (hand engine) at the tank opposite the Borough. Branches were quickly laid out, and as soon as the water came a stream was directed upon the north end, where the fire had burst through the end of the building, another on the eastern Bide near Coombs and Son's warehouse, and a third on the western side, facing the warehouse. For some time the Brigade could make but little headway with the flames, as the galvanised iron threw off the water, and it was almost impossible to get the branch in so as to play upon the burning mass of merchandise within. At last, however, an opening was effected by breaking in the doors on the western side, and a branch was most pluckily taken right in on to the lower floor. The smoke at this] time was almost stifling, there being no wind, and the branchmen must have had anything but a pleasant time. However, they stuck gallantly to their work, and combatted the fire inch by inch. It was soon evident that despite the efforts of the brigade the fire would make headway towards the Lichfield street front, and accordingly Mr Harris ordered a couple of branches to be turned on there. In the meantime the brigade had beaten down the fire somewhat at the northern end where it was fiercest at first, but it gradually cut its way upwards to the roof and spread along the top of the building. Soon after this the roof, for about half way of the whole length, fell in, and a perfect sea of flame was seen, the whole upper floor, which was closely packed with merchandise of all descriptions, being one mass of fire. Nothing daunted, however, by the prospect, the brigade worked on, throwing streams of water from each side and the front. From the first, however, it was evident that the utmost efforts of the brigade could do no more than prevent the spread of the fire beyond the building in which it originated, as the fire had got too firm hold of the building before being discovered to allow of any portion of the stock being saved. At 11.35 p.m., the whistle of the Deluge was sounded, denoting the fact that the supply of water was running short, a state of things which quickly became only too apparent by the diminution of the stream. This being the case, Mr Harris ordered the removal of this engine to the tank by Montgomery and Oo.'s, which was done. The hand engine in the meanwhile having exhausted the supply at the Borough tank, was removed to the gutter in Lichfield street opposite the building, and the water flowing from the other engines was again utilised. Soon after this the Extinguisher gave the unwelcome signal that the Matheson's Agency tank was running out, and a visit to tbat also proved that only about 2ft. remained. Respecting this tank, it may be noticed that one of the arteeians supplying it ha 3 had a wooden plug in it for some time past. As the supply has proved on more than one occasion to be inadequate to meet the demands made upon it at time of a fire, it would perhaps be as well if the plug spoken of were removed, so as to allow the whole force of the artesian supply to flow into the tank. While this had been going on the fire had extended to the Lichfield street front, which was soon in a mass of flame. Notwithstanding the fact that they had to face the full fury of the fire, and also that they were exposed to showers of large burning fragments, the firemen E. Rose and E. Samuels pluckily took a branch up the ladder and played on the front. They were deservedly loudly cheered. Soon after midnight the Extinguisher ceased working, no water being procurable at Matheson's tank, and the river being beyond the reach of the hose. The brigade were now dependent upon the Deluge, at the tank near Montgomery's and Co.'s, and the small hand engine with which they continued the work. The Railway Volunteer Fire Brigade were on the spot, but their services were not called into requisition. The Fire Police under Captain Alport mustered strongly, and though there was a tremendous crowd of people, they succeeded in keeping ample space for the brigade to do their work in. Mr Commissioner Broham, Mr Inspector Hickson, and a detachment of regular police were also present, and rendered great service in keeping the ground. Some few packages of goods were removed, but these, compared with the great bulk totally destroyed, were but a trifle. At first it was thought probable that the warehouses adjoining and belonging to the same firm would share the same fate, but fortunately this was averted, and the fire confined entirely to the building in which it first originated. Some idea may be gained of the value of the property jeopardised by this disastrous fire from the heavy insurances effected on the stock alone, without taking into account the value of the extensive block of buildings in which they were Btored. It is stated that the front premises fronting on High street are insured to the extent of nearly £40,000. The insurance companies, with few exceptions, will be heavy losers, the respective amounts, as far as they could be gathered, being as follow : —New Zealand Insurance Company, £IOOO, Sun, £IOOO j South British, £2OOO Union, £2OOO ; Standard, £2000; National, £2OOO ; £SOO insured in the United ; Transatlantic, £IOOO ; total, £II,OOO. These heavy amounts are irrespective of any insurance on the buildings which are, doubtless, secured to something approximating to their value. Shortly after 12 o'clock all danger of the fire spreading had ceased, although the interior of the burning building was a glowing furnace, from the quantity of goods which it was impossible to remove. The Brigade were stijl actively engaged, although from the absence of water it was impossible to take any active steps to extinguish the fire, which it was apparent would have to burn itself out. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The fire was mustered by half-past twelve o'clock, but still wanted careful watching, and a number of mon were appointed to watch during the night. This "rooming, a

portion of the goods on the lower story, and parts of the building were smouldering. The interior presented a very confused and dilapidated appearance. The floor was strewn with sugar bags, the contents of many running in liquid form over everything, and on all sides destruction was apparent. An idea of the firm hold obtained by the fire can be gathered better now, the interior of the building everywhere beaming traces of the conflagration. Hence the theory that the premises must actually have been on fire (though its origin can only be vaguely guegsed af), for several days, the store having been shut since Thursday last. A vast amount of damage has been done, but still there is a good deal of salvage there ; a large quantitv of wines, spirits, and beer being untouched, also tobacco and general merchandise, which have not been destroyed. This morning some difficulty aroso about the removal of the goods inside, the Customs Department objecting until the question of duty should be determined. But Superintendent Harris insisted that the building must be cleared, or he would not answer for the consequences, the fire still being alive in different places. Accordingly carts were obtained, and a number of men at once employed to remove the goods, first starting operations at the back of the premises, where the fire still appeared to maintain a hold, with the object of ascertaining its exact position. By'these means the Brigade finally extinguised it. The clerks in the offices of Messrs Edwards, Bennett, and Co. were engaged during the day making an estimate of the damage done by the fire.