SERIOUS FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2230, 21 April 1881, Page 2

SERIOUS FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

[PBBSB ASSOCIATION TELUaUAM.] AUCKLAND, April 21. At three o'clock this morning a disastrous fire occurred in Queen street, the scene being the block occupied by Mrs Coster (milliner), Mr Whitehead (tobacconist), Mr Cole (basket maker), Mason Broß. (hairdressers), Mr Harris (tobacconist), and Mr Gatterson's store and stables. Constable Dews, on duty at the wharf, saw the fire suddenly burst out like an explosion, and immediately the whole of the shed near Whitehead's bowling saloon was in flames, which oould not be reached from Queen street. The fire brigade quickly went out, and played water on the premises. Before they had got well to work Hairis, and Mason's shops in Queen street were in a blaze, and the Auckland Savings' Bank adjoining was in great danger. Every effort was made to keep the fire back from it, and, after a great struggle, the fire in Harris, and Mason's was got under. The Bank was then safe. But, meantime, the fire spread in the other direction, catching in turn Whitehead's, Coster's, Patterson's stables, and the premises of Payne, watchmaker. The next effort was to put the fire out in Payne's shop, whioh had been cleared of goods by the salvage corps. The brigade succeeded by ohopping down a partition and by a copious supply of water. The flames in the building between them, the Bank, and Payne's shop, being all old wooden structures, were continually breaking out afresh. The firemen had great difficulties to contend with. O wing to falling beams they have to work underneath verandahs. A hosiery establishment, Ignited from sparks, was put out before damage was done. Fortunately no horses were in the stables, but little or nothing was saved from any of the shops, ezcopt Payne's. The fire burned brightly for over two hours. The ruins continued to smoulder after that time. Later. The fire destroyed tho following premises r Mr Whitehead's (tobacconist), Mr Cole's (basket maker). Mr Mason's (hairdresser), Mr Harris' (tobacconist), Mrs Coster's (miliiner), and Mr Patterson's stables. Ihi fire spread so rapidly, and all the buildings were so dry, that none of the contents were saved. Mr Payne's, jewe'.lor's, shop was damaged, and the stock was carried out by the Salvage Corps, but the building was saved by the exertions of the Brigade. The progress of the fire was thus stayed. The fire removes another of the few olden wooden blocks of buildings in Queen street. The insurances were—South British, £IOOO on Mr Payne's atook, all saved; Colonial £S00; United. £IOO ; Northern, £IOO • NortT i\ £IOO. Four shops were owned'by Mr Barstow, R.M., and Mr Costolli, It is believed both were uninsured.