GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1594, 29 December 1885, Page 4

GREAT FIRE IN WELLINGTON.

» ESTIMATED DAMAGE £12,000. (united prfss association.) Wellington, Tuesday The most disastrous fire which has occurred here since the Opera House fire broke out this morning. The alarm was given about 7.55 a.m, when Myers', picture frame manufacturers shop, on> Lambton Quay, was discovered to be on fire. The origin of the conflagration is unknown. The fire brigade were soon on the spot, but appeared unable to cope with the task before them, and as a consequence the fire spread rapidly to Smart's oyster saloon and Mrs Wilson's fruit" shop on either side which were soon levelled to the ground. The flames were still gaining on the brigade and Aldous' tobacconist, Spiller's music shop, Farmer's large furniture warehouse, the Wellington Meat Company's butchers' shop, and Mrs Paul's milliner's shop were completely destroyed. The fire also destroyed the stables of the Meat Company, and then extended to some cottages m a small lane running off' Wood-ward-street, ahd all these were destroyed, but the occupants are not yet known. Hayes' plumber's shop, Arrowsmith, fruiterer, and the Branch Hotel had a very narrow escape. The sparks were earned a long distance away, and the Occidental Hotel, Dr Henry's house, and the Central Club were on fire at one time, but were saved with difficulty. Later. Four cottages known as James* Cottages, and Hayes' pattern and coppersmiths' shop were also burnt m the fire this morning. Several buildings some considerable distance away were discovered to be on fire, but extinguished before much damage was done. Hayes' estimates his loss at i? 1000 over the insurance. The amount of the property destroyed is estimated at over i? 12,000 or .£7OOO above insurance. The fire took place on the same spot as the great fire m May 1868. On that occasion the same block was swept by fire.