GREAT EIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 20, 23 January 1878, Page 2

GREAT EIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Chkistchurch, Wednesday. A serious fire occurred this morning in the block of buildings bounded by Colombo and Cashel-streets, being the centre of the business part of the city. It commenced in the back premises of J. Barrett, hairdresser. This was quickly extinguished, but on both sides, north and south, the fire had obtained a strong hold before the alarm was sounded, and, before the Eire Brigade, ■which turned out smartlj, had got properly -to work, the shops occupied by Parker, commission agent, and Scrimshaw, furniture warehouse, on the south side, were in flames, also Roberts' watchmaker's shopontheuorth,and theflames were making way through the windows in the brick partition os the A 1 Hotel, which was three stories high. Captain Harris beiug unfortunately out of towu, the efforts of the Fire Brigade was not so well directed as usual, and after a little time a scarcity of water was also experienced. The Brigade arrested the progress of the fire on the South side after it had partially damaged the shop of Phillip's, clothier, next to Scrimshaw's but while the Brigade were endeavoring to save the A I Hotel, the fire communicated through the rear of the hotel with the shop 9 of Lane, butcher, Beath, draper, and Watt, draper, in Cashel street. The Brigade after all failed to save the A 1 Hotel, which was completely destroyed, and they had a hard fight to prevent the fire from extending along Cashel street to High street. The fire rageJ for three hours. The following damage \ras done : -A 1 Hotel containing about fifty rooms, Scrimshaw's, Parker's, Barrett's, and .Roberts' shops totally destroyed ; Phillip's shop and stock damaged ; back premises of Beath's, draper shop, destroyed ; stock in frout shop damaged ; stock of Pratt, draper, also damaged. No particulars as to the ralue of damage or insurances are yet obtainable. The origin of the fire is unknown.