FIRES.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2214, 31 March 1881, Page 3

FIRES.

At 12.30 lost night the bell rang the alarm, and although for a few minutes afterwards no signs of fire could bo seen, a sudden glare in High street was sufficient indication of the locality. It was found that the fire had broken out in that part of Messrs P. Cunningham and Oo,'s premises which adjoins the offices of the firm. The store, for suoh it was, had formerly been used by Messrs Steggall and Howe, produce merchants, and, after having remained vacant for some time was in process of being fitted up as offices for Messrs Black, Davies and 00. By the time the brigade were able to bring a good supply of water to bear the building was in flames, but the effect of the water was magical, and in a very short time the brigade had the fire under control. Fortunately, on either side of the store was a brick wttll, and to this may be attributed the fact that the fire was confined to the building in which it broke out. Next to the store in Lichfield street, was the warehouse of Messrs Suckling and Co., leather merchants, and, although the roof was ignited, the damage done will not be material. Messrs Cunningham and Co.'s offices were severely damaged by water, as the fire got through tbe roof, and was extinguished with some difficulty. The store, of course, was completely gutted. Soon after the discovery of the fire, the firm's books and papers were removed from tho offices, but it was found unnecessary to remove tho safes.

The following are the insurances: Sack store, £6OO in the London, Liverpool, and Globe, and £7OO in the South British ; offios furniture, &0., £BOO in the South British and £250 in the National. The buildings are insured by Mr W. D. Wood. On Wednesday morning, about one o'clock, a fire broke out in a four-roomed house outside the Aahburton town btlt. The building was totally destroyed before any aid could be brought, water being at some distance from the locality. The house was the property of Mr Wm. Alexander, Seafleld, and was insured in the Colonial Office for £2OO. The fire is supposed to have been caused by tramps, who had taken up their quarters in the house, which was otherwise uninhabited.

The boiling-down establishment belonging to Mr Boyd Thompson, of Temuka, was completely destroyed by fire on Wednesday night. A cow, thirty sheep, and a valuable dog belonging to Mr Thompson were also destroyed in the fire. It is understood the place was uninsured, and, consequently, Mr Thompson must have sustained considerable loss. The origin of the firo has not transpired. A very destructive fire ocourred at Irwell on Tuesday afternoon, whereby Mr C. T. Dudley lost his farm buildings and also a quantity of grain. The fire is supposed to have broken out in the stable, and when first discovered had got suoh a hold that all attempts to extinguish it failed. Stored in tbe granary and wool shed was a considerable quantity of wheat, oats, and grass seed. The buildings were fully insured, and the grain only partly.