FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2624, 4 September 1882, Page 3

FIRE IN HIGH STREET.

At ten minutes past twelve this morning the constable on duty in High street, near the White Hart Hotel, saw the retention of fire in a small building situated on the opposite side of the street, between Mr King’s furniture warehouse and Ur Dupois, the tobacconist’s, and this building, in which the fire was first seen, and in which it no doubt originated, was occupied as a show room by the proprietor of the learned pig, and it seems contained but little property beside the animal mentioned and a number of flags and banners of various kinds. It was an old building and as dry as a match box, and when the flames once bunt forth they spread with great rapidity, and the entire building was soon a mass of fire. On the north side of tbs building where the fire occurred was Mr King’s retail furniture establishment, over which was a billiard saloon. ai this block was very high it presented a very ignitable surface for the flames to operate upon, and at this Juncture it seemed as if the whole block up to Oashel street, on the north side, could not escape destruction. It did not, however, extend in that direction with the celerity which was at first expected, and this was no doubt due to the fact that in about twenty minutes from the time of the discovery of the fire the square building in which it broke out was almost demolished, and what remained of it went down with a crash, and the volume of heat, so far as the north side was concerned, was very much diminished. On the south side, however, it spread much more quickly, and the tobacconist’s shop was completely under its dominion. Next to Mr Dupois’ shop stood the premises occupied by Madame Lotti Wilmot, and the smoke was soon seen issuing from the top of them, and a few minutes afterwards they were completely gutted, as also was an oyster saloon, which stood next Just round the corner. In Madame Wilmot’s premises, and in the oyster saloon, or building in which the large ox was recently exhibited, there did not seem to be much property, and the loss in regard to them cannot be great. The next building was the millinery establishment of Mrs J. M. Crocker, and which also seemed in great danger, but escaped owing to the efforts of the Christchurch Fire Brigade, who were promptly on the ground. Almost simultaneously a stream of water was brought to bear on Madame Wilmot’s premises and on Mr King’s warehouse. The buildings which stood on the corner were very low, and though they were burning fiercely inside the flames in them were speedily extinguished, and Mrs Oroeker’s place saved. The walls of the billiard saloon of Mr Zing’s shop were burning pretty briskly, but the fire had not penetrated these buildings, and the hose soon put an end to it on that side; and in about three quarters of an hour after the alarm was given all was over. At one time the heat sent across the street was very intense, so much so that the buildings on that side did not seem altogether safe, especially in view of the threatened destruction of Mr King’s establishment. The constable who discovered the fire rushed into the place where “Bismarck,” or whatever was the name of the learned pig was, and tried to save him, but did not succeed in doing so, but removed a box from the place. A little later “ Bismarck’s ” owner appeared on the scene, and when he ascertained the fate of his learned quadruped he rushed up and down the street in an almost frantic state. Those who wore first on the scene made a rush for Mr King’s prenrsee and commenced to remove the furniture, whieh must have suffered pretty severely in consequence of the rough handling to which it was subjected. Much of the stock was also removed from Mrs Crocker’s premises.

It is said that Madame Wilmot was not now in possession of her old premises at the earner, having left there abont a week ago. While some of the volunteers wore engaged in removing the goods from Mr King’s shop they met with three jars of quicksilver, and when they attempted to remove these they were surprised at the great weight, and, thinking they contained dynamite or some explosive substance, they did not hesitate to leave them to their fate. Their alarm, however, was needless. The buildings destroyed were the property of Mr Charles Hunter Brown, who is at present in Nelson, bat has agents in Christchurch, It was stated last night that he was apt insured. Mr King is said to be insured in the Standard Office. Mr O. P. Hnlbertand Co. are insured for £6OO in the National, and for £750 in the South British. As some of their stock was removed and the glass windows brr.ken, they sustained some loss, but it is covered by insurance. FIBS AT AUCKLAND. [By Telbseaph.] AUCKLAND, Septembers At midnight a fire occurred in a block < f five two-storey shops. It commenced at Marriott’s the auctioneers. The cause is unknown. Marriott’s and Bpinley’s (fancy goods) and Walker (butcher) were burnt down. Banbury and English (dairy), and M urphy’s (fruiterer) were saved but damaged. Those burnt down were insured, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Royal, £1200; No. 8, Colonial., £350, a; d Walker’s furniture, £6O. Mr.rriott's goods ware insured in the Colonial for £B6OO. Spen’ey was uninsured. The other insurances ii o u cknown. The two shops saved, but damaged are insured in the Colonial lor £750. Some of these risks are probably reinsured in other Companies.