Colonial News.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 387, 19 July 1856, Page 8

Colonial News.

Alakmixg Fire—On Saturday morning last, between two and three o'clock, a fire broke out in the premises of Mr. Parsons, the Waterman's Anns, in Liverpoolstreet, which bui-i^t from the first with such amazing- rapidity as seriously to threaten the safety of the numerous and densely packed buildings in its neighbourhood. The fire was first perceived by a policeman, who immediately aroused the"inmates of the house, who, of course, were all in bed, and alarmed the neighbourhood. As soon as the front door of the house was opened, and air freely admitted, the flames burst forth with fearful rapidity, illuminating every thing around. So rapid was the progress made by the devouring- element, I hat before a score of persons had arrived on the spot, the Waterman's Arms, and a small butcher's •shop in Argyle-street, in the occupation of Mr. Frod.<oi:, were so enveloped in flame as to demonstrate the impossibility of saving < i;i>' portion, either of the one or the other. The inmates of the neighbouring- houses heinjr all in bed, were with some difficulty aroused,runl made to comprehend thoroughly the dangerous situation in which they were placed. The first sight of the fire, lmwever, thoroughly awakened them to the necessity of immediate action. In a few minutes Mr. Roberts, pawnbroker, whose premises were

undoubtedly at one tim in the most imminent danger, Mr. Brvvn, eating-house keeper, next door to the 'uniing pile, .;Vir. Gore, general dealer, aiK. Mr. Hewlins' dyer, a door or two away in -..ivorpool street' and Mr. Chatley of the <ordon Castle' immediately opposite, were aC'vely ensjao'ed in applying wet blankets to tin shingles of their respective premises. . Fortunately there was but little wind, andy good deal of rain had also fallen between 12 and 2 o'clock,to which two favorable circumstances they were mainly indebted for tlu. successful result of their exertions to s>ve their premises from sharing the fate\ of the burning mass by their side. Ininiidiately on the discovery of the fire messenger were despatched to the various" engine-fitaions and in a very short space of time\ tl )e Tasmanian engine under the direction, of M. Hedberg and his son in law, |Air. Williams, —the* Derwent and Ta\ier under Mr. Brown, of the ii.rm of Brown \wd Douglas,-—the military engine and a la\«-e party of military, and the engines from Ihe penitentiary and the police were upon t\ie ground. Unfortunately, more than half an hour elapsed after the arrival of the ensjineW before a supply of water could be ob ained — all the water casks in the neighbourhood^ were emptied, and the gutters, which were \ running freely, were laid under contribution before a supply of water could be obtained from the street, mains. The " Daily News," in its notice of the fire, asserts that the firemen could not find the cocks, but we understand fhat this is incorrect. The cause of the deficienc} 7 arose from the fact that at the time the water was not laid on from the main to Liverpool and Argyle- streets. Valuable time was consequently unavoidably lost in getting the water laid on. As soon, however, as a plentiful supply of the indispensable element was obtained, all parties went to work with a will, and the buildings adjacent to the Waterman's Arms were soon placed in comparative safety. The Tasmanian and the Derwent and Tamar engines were the first to get to work, and were quickly followed by the others. Mr. Brown directed his exertions mainly to the back of the premises that were in danger, while the Tasmanian and the other engines took up favourable positions at. the front and sides of the burning building. When the devouring element arrived at the place •where Mr. Parsons kept his stock of spirits, the explosion was terrific, proving that the stock on hand must have been great. A valuable horse, the property vi' Mr. Parsons, we regret to state, was so badly burnt before he could be extricated, that he was destroyed from motives of humanity. Another valuable animal also sustained some injury. Considering the earl}' hour at which the accident occurred, a great number of persons were at the scene of the conflagration, amongst whom was his worship the Mayor, Alderman Sims, Messrs. W. Lindsav, Perkins, Nielson, Graham, Haller, &c. In less than three quarters of an hour from the commencement the public-house was completely gutted, e\'Gvy thing combustible being- consumed, together with the outbuildings and ' butcher's shop adjoining, which " were principally of wood. The real cause of the accident, as well as the exact spot where it commenced, is involved in considerable obscurity. Some say it commenced in the butcher's shop adjoining the public house, while others assert it began in the Waterman's Arms. A. considerable quantity of furniture was transferred from the houses to the street for security, most of which, however, was replaced without having sustained more damage than is unavoidable on such occasions. The Waterman's Arms is, we understand, the property of Mr. G. Lowe, who, we also are informed, is full}' insured. The landlord of the house, Mr. Parsons, is also insured for a considerable amount.