BIG FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3786, 8 February 1908, Page 3

BIG FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Christchurch, February 6. Probably the largest and most destructive fire that has yet occurred in Christchurch broke out late to-night in one end of Messrs Strange and Co.’s large block of buildings, situated at the corner of High and Lichfield Streets, in the busiest part of the city. The fire started in a large Warehouse in Lichfield Street, filled with carpets and linoleum and other heavy furnishing materials, and in the space of a few minutes the whole building was a mass of flames. Nothing could be done to save it.

Meanwhile the fire spread through to the building at the back, fronting on to High Street, and in turn to Messrs Ashby, Bergh and Co.’s ironmonger’s establishment.

The White Hart Hotel and other buildings in the vicinity were quickly in a blaze, and were rapidly destroyed with their contents.

Messrs Malcolm and Co.’s warehouse in Lichfield Street, adjoining Messrs Strang and Co.’s linoleum department, also caught alight, and the fire spread right through the building. Ashby Berghs’, Tribe and Co.’s, Hulbert, Slaymaker and Co.’s, Freeman’s, The White Hart, Robert Malcolm and Co.’s, D. Benjamin and Co.’s, P. Hayman and Co.’s, and the whole of the D.I.C. are destroyed.