FIRE AT PORT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2238, 4 June 1881, Page 3

FIRE AT PORT.

At ten minutes to four o’clock this morning the Lyttelton fire bell rang, and in a few minutes (from five to ten) the local brigade, with their hose, were in action on the back premises of Mr James Talbot, at the Canterbury Dining Rooms, Norwich Quay. After a while the lire was put out, and the damage was ascertained to have been the complete destruction of the out-premises of the dining rooms, consisting of the kitchen and washhouse. The fire is supposed to have originated by some embers falling from the stove upon the wooden floor, and it hud got too strong a hold before Mrs Talbot, the first to give the alarm, discovered it. To the exertions of the brigade is due the credit of saving the main building and the other adjacent property. The master of the tug boat Lyttleton, on board of which is an excellent fire engine, was present at the fire, and ready with steam up on his vessel, prepared to render any further assistance should it have been required. The value of the property consumed is altogether about £6O. Of this sum Mr 0. A. Rich, the owner of the premises, will lose about £lO or £ls, and Mr Talbot about £4O or £45. There was no insurance, and the loss in Mr Talbot’s case especially is a trying one, os ho had but recently started in business. An accident, one of a severe character, occurred during the fire to a son of Captain Richard Wood, a lad named Ernest. He was running towards Norwich Quay, and, turning the corner at Oxford street, his head struck against the end of a ladder which was being carried to the scene of the fire by some of the brigade. He was attended immediately after by Dr. H. Macdonald, and it will be some time before he has entirely recovered.