A Fire.

Manawatu Herald, 3 February 1894, Page 2

A Fire.

NAEBOW ESCAPE OP THE BANK OF AUSTRALASIA. What might have been a very serious conflagration, and which was fortunately stopped in its incipiency, happened at the Bank of Australasia premises on Friday morning ahout a quarter to 2, when a stable, and part of which was used as a store-room, was burned to the ground. It is only to the exertions of those present that saved the larger bnilding, when it is known that only a distance of some 10 to 12 paces existed between the two bnildings. Had the bank oaught fire it would be hai'd to tell where it would have stopped, as the next adjoining building is Messrs Hennessy, Westwood & Co.'s store, and from there down that side of the street the buildings are more compact, and they would undoubtedly have suffered total destruction. Mr Nixon, the manager of the bank, was awakened by hearing cries of " fire " from several persons running down the street, . and on going to the window saw the reflection of the fire on Messrs Hennessy, Westwood & Co's iron roof. At first he ; thought it was their premises on fire, but on taking a closer look through the window was naturally much startled to see the flames shooting up from his own stable and storeroom. He lost no time in rousing the rest of the household, and the two children were taken across to Mrs McLean, on the opposite side of the road. About a dozen persons were now present, and the fire-bell sounding the note of alarm, people were arriving from all directions. Many there were who were assisting in various ways to prevent the bank from catching alight, by placing wet blankets down the side of the building, and clearing away all inflammable articles, and the fencing, which also had to be knocked down. The heat was intense, as may be known when one of the persons on the roof of the bank seemed overjoyed when a bucket or two of water was accidentally thrown over him. At one time it was thought the bank would have to suffer, but the united efforts of those tnwanUu ke#_tftU- blanket BAtaM.t«d m tfca \\m wh .a m ft* . w«w mIU highs « t

...'■'■ prevented it from doing any further damage. Several articles of furniture were removed from the building into the street, but were returned when it was known that all danger was over. Mr Nixon thoughtfully provided a little light refreshment fov all and sundry, which was no doubt appr a * ciated, althodgll liis! Idi'gei' stock had suffered iri lhe fire. ¥he btiil<_i_g W_B lft' stir ed in tlie dfflc <J df the _Uive.pdsli Loti* don & Globe for £30; but which i|. 59 UJ. ... fuli value: Mr Nikon's carriSSe and hhi'nes. was ifisurett for £49, and tliei'e is diso aii insurance on his personal effects in the Sun oflice, which he estimates at between £40 to £50 that has been destroyed.. .TM. only occupier of the store-room, a parrot, was burnt in the fire. Mr Nixon really does not know-how many things are missed until the articles burnt Will have to be replaced. He can form no idea whatever as to how the iire originated, which he puts down as a complete mystery, aB he makes it a practice of looking over the premises before retiring, tfhis night he was moi'e than usiially careful) as washing had beed done in the rodni that flay. We _i ; e , pltt that we Have not to chronicle anything worse, and before concluding we would like to mention several persons who are deserving of mora than the ordinary word of praise, Messrs T.P.Williams, Shadbolt, McCloskey, Gerbes, Redmond, and Young. Of course numbers of others helped in a minor 'degree. Mr Nixon in another column returns his thanks, and is also de--.il'oits that Mrs McLean should not be overlooked for all her kindness to his family While the fire was raging'