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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 932, 1 February 1871, Page 2

FIRE IN TAIUNAKI-ST., WELLINGTON. We take the following from the Independent, January 19 : —One more fire, and the cry of "No water." About 2.30 this morning the grocery store and shoemaker's shop of Mr A. Levy, and the book store of Mr Fraser, in Taranakistreet, were entirely consumed with almost everything the places contained, including household furniture, as both places were used as residences. The alarm was given before the breaking out of the flames, and though the Wellington Fire Brigade engiue was on the ground in a few minutes, the fire was raging with such fierceness, and the heat so great, that it was almost impossible to pass through the street, and before any water could be brought to bear, both houses were gone too far to be saved. It was painful to witness the desperate exertions of the firemen in their hunt after water in gardens and back yards ; and it was fully half-an-hour before a small supply was obtained from Mr Martin's paddock. A few minutes longer without water, and the house opposite would also have gone. As it was, it had a narrow escape, and was very much scorched. Both places belonged to Mr Levy, and the grocery store was insured in the Imperial for <£3oo, but the stock was uninsured. So far as we could learn, no insurance was effected on either the house or stock of Mr Fraser. We trust that many more such warnings will not be required to show the necessity that exists for a plentiful supply of water. It was a pity to see the exertions of our firemen, who were on the spot with remarkable rapidity, rendered almost useless. A slight breeze from the southeast was blowing, but it fortunately died away, or no doubt the flames would have soon extended as far as the Panama Hotel

The fire has been a serious blow to two worthy citizens in a small way of business. Mr Frazer's books, we understand, were saved and taken across the streejt with a few other things, and were there burned.