Fire at Palmerston.

Manawatu Herald, 22 September 1892, Page 3

Fire at Palmerston.

At about 1.20 on Sunday morning morning, Mr H. W. Haybittle scented fire about the back of the Commercial Hotel, and gave the alarm on the fi rebel!. The Brigade under Capt. Tiagey and Lieut. Rawlins soon had the appliances on the scene, when it was found that the paper storeroom of the Standard office was in flames. A number of neighbors had started to work with buckets, but the flames had got a good hold, although almost immediately after the water was on all d? w nger was over, the high pressure quickly altering the state of affairs. Beyond the damage to the building, the destruction of about £80 worth of paper, tmd damage to a couple of [presses, &c, to the value of some vgflO, no injury was done to the plant. Tho lean-to occupied by the men servants at the Commercial Hotel caught once or twice but the flames were easily quenched. The Brigade worked capitally, and deserve every credit for tho smart piece of work fekey performed. The Salvage Corps, under Capt. Wood were on the spot, and rendered material assistance in keeping the linos clear. As usual there-i s very little, evidence' obtain able of the origin of the fire. Saturday being a half- holiday none of the hands were about after 2 o'clock, J and no fire is used anywhere near the scene of the conflagration. Constable Quinn and the night watchman passed the spot about an hour'befbre the alarm was given, 1 and Mr Thompson says that about 1 o'clock he hoard several persons running from the direction of the office and calling out, but he thought it was only a little ebullition of animal spirits. The building was insured for £250 in the National Insurance Office. One policy on the plant in the Plumiix. office was allowed to lapse by Mr McMinn about. a moiibb. ago.— Standard.