FIRE

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1413, 10 February 1873, Page 2

FIRE.

DESTRUCTION OF STRIKE AND BLACKMORES BREWERY. About 2 o'clock this morning fire was observed in a cottage in Arney -street, between its junction with Gresson street and Ma*.whera Quay. Those who noticed it, including soa-e members of the police force, ran to the rescue, rather than to the bell, and the consequence wa3 that the fire had a good hold before the alarm was given. When it was given, the Brigade and the residents generally turned out with great rapidity, and found that the fire was rapidly destroying a row of cottages fronting Arney street, and, driven by a strong gorge wind, was rapidly travelling westward, threatening the destruction of the whole block, including Strike and Blackmore's large brewery. The flames, fanned by the wind, speedily ran through the adjoining cottages, took possession of what was once the Criterion Hotel, at the corner of Arney and Gresson streets, and after destroying a number of intermediate small buildirgs, the flames licked up the^ walls of the large and extersive work! of Strike and Blackmore, brewers and cordial manufacturers, which were speedily enveloped in a mass of flames, The building was a large three-storey one, containing a vast amount of valuable plant and machinery, but it soon fell a prey to the flames, and a very few minutes after the bell ran it was a heap of smouldering ruins. Next to the brewery was a four-roomed cottage, which was speedily destroyed, formerly occupied by Mr Blackmore, but fortunately he had left it for a hoise on the terrace only a few days before, so that his household property, at least, was saved. . Owing to the number of cottages in the block, it was impossible in the excitement of the fire, to ascertain the actual amount of damage done, but we should say that ] about ten houses are gone, in addition to Strike and Blackmore's larje brewery. Beyond this the fire was prevented spreading, owing to the Fire Brigade pulling down a cottage, and, having got their hose in order, fought the flames both front and rear, and speedily reduced the conflagration to a smouldering heap of ruins. Once the alarm was given the Fire Brigade turned out with commendable alacrity, and were soon a.t $rqrk with both engines on the river bank. \Ve regret to say, however, that their efforts to get the flames under were so bgdly seconded by those who stood idlygby with their hands in their pockets instead of taking a spell at the engines. During the heat of the fire there was a rumor afloat that two children had been burned in one of the cottages fronting Arney street, but; the Fire Brigade made every aear^l? in thp. v djrft'fttif)a,;Hvlic!rfiftd. a catastrophe. Two hours : afterwards the children were found to be safe in a cottage on the opposite side of Gresson street. As to the total amount of the loss, it must be over alone of which must be borne by Messrs Strike and B, lackmore, anijt there wa3 not a penny uf Insurance on the block.