DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 364, 5 April 1866, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT AUCKLAND.

FIVE HOUSES BURNED DOWN. (Southern Cross, 19th. March.) At an early, hoar oh Saturday morning last, the different fire-bells in town rang out their usual tones of warning to the inhabitants of the city,' and upon our proceeding to the spot it was found that a terrible conflagration was raging in Bakerstreet, Freeman’s Bay. Shortly after the first notice was given, large numbers of people had gathered round the spot, and the newly formed Fire Brigade, under the command of Mr A. Asher,, were preparing to get the several engines out, ready for service. The Northern (or No. 2) engine was quickly run up the hill, but upon their running up the fool of Wellesley-street, West, it was found to be impossible to proceed further with the engine, and therefore the men at once took to the buckets, made their way to the fire, and succeeded in rendering good service. We may hero mention that it was in consequence of having to cross a creek, over which there was only a plankway, that the engine could not be got to the scene of the fire. However, this being their first trial, under the new enrolment, the Fire Brigade turned out to a man, and acquitted themselves creditably; this corps, above all, ought to bo well recognised and supported. Very little is known of the origin of the fire, hut there is not the slightest doubt that it was the act of an incendiary, the first person to discover it having discovered the house on fire at both ends, and further than this it was unoccupied at the time. As to its origin, the furthest known as yet is through the statement of the constable on duty at the time, which we append:—“About halfpast 4 o’clock on Saturday morning. Constable D. O’Sullivan was on duty in Drake-street, when his attention was drawn to a sudden illumination in a house in Baker-street, and owned by a person named Gilbert, a teacher of music. He was at the time challenging a man named Hugh Harkins for sauntering about at that hour in the morning, He took this man with him to the scene of the conflagration and found that fire had taken fast hold of the house, which was unoccupied, though tenanted it is said two days previous. He then went round to the front and there saw a man named John Fleming, a private in the Military Train, standing, apparently watching the fire, about two yards distant. He went up to him,. questioned him as to where he lived and what he was doing there, to which the man replied that ha lived in the Albert Barracks, and had been sleeping between the house that was on fire and tha adjacent one, having been 1 well tight’ the night before. Constable O'Sullivan then examined Fleming’s clothes and found that the back of his coat and the seat of his trousers were covered with mud, and upon obtaining the assistance of _ Constable Hayes, brought him to the police station. There was very little wind when the fire commenced, and it quickly spread on both sides through a block of five buildings, which were quickly consumed. Fora short space of time it was rather doubtful whether the conflagration would not spread further, but these fears were soon, allayed by some courageous young men getting upon the roof of the houses, and keeping them well wetted with water and saturated blankets. Just after daylight had set in, the fire had run its course, and nothing but a pile of chimneys and smoking ruins were left to mark the spot. We understand that some of the buildings were insured in the New Zealand Insurance Company for £3OO. The Military Train man, Fleming, was handed over during the day to the Military authorities, but we hear will have to account for himself before the Jury at the inquest that about to be held upon this fire. Mr Commissioner Naughton and an efficient body of the police were assembled at the fire and rendered good service.