FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 66, 18 March 1875, Page 2

FIRE.

At half-past seven Inst evening the firebells were hard nt work, anr] the fierce glare that was plainly discernible in lho direction of Trafalgar-street north left no room for doubt as to the locality in which the flames that had eet them in motion had broken out. There was a general rush to the spot, and very quickly the tinkling of the bells on tbe hoße reel told that the firemen were on the alert. On arriving at the scene we found that the hoee from tho pedestal in Trafalgar-street was already pouring a stream on the fire, which had broken out in the stables belonging to Messrs H. Davis and Co., at the rear of, and almost a 'joining Messrs Twist and Gay's livery stables The firm hold that the flames had obtained on the building ia which ihey originated, where a quantity of hay wa6 stored, showed that all efforts to save it would be of no avail, so the energies of the Brigade, who were quickly joined by the firemen from the Port, were devoted to preveutiug the spread of the fire, aud hard work they ha J in doing so, for the wall at the end of Messrs Twist and Gay's stables was several times in a blaze, and required all the attention lhat could bo bestowed upon it by one hose to extinguish the flams. There was also a danger of the fue communicating by. means of loose straw and rubbish underneath the wall, so that a constant deluge of water was required to keep that portion thoroughly soaked. In about half an hour the fire had burnt away from Twist & Gay's, and their premises being comparatively safe, a powerful body of water was brought to bear upon the flames, which were then soon extinguished. Wheu the locality of tho fire was first ascertained, there was considerable alarm felt by many, who knc-AVthat in two of the yards close by were well-stocked kerosene Btbres, but fortunately there was not a breath of wind stirring at the time, so that tho flames were comparatively easily confined to theonobuilding. The buildings that were destroyed, which were tho properly of Mr C. Hariey, were uninsured, as was tbat portion of Messrs Twist and Gay's which was damaged, although the front portion of their establishment is insured with the National for £400. With tho ready assistance that was at hand ail their horses and vehicles were caved irom injury either by fire cr water. How tho fire originated is not known, but there is some story about a drunken ! man having been seen in the stables during the afternoon. We presume that an inquiry will be held The firemeu of both brigades distinguished themselves, as they always do upon such occasions, by the quickuess of their arrival on the scene of the fire, and the zeal with which they worked to subdue it.