FIRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 222, 28 October 1878, Page 2

FIRE.

Siioktlt before 5 o'clock yesterday morning the citizens of Nelson were roused from their slumbers by the clanging of the alarm bells, the cause beiug a fire iu Mr BurrelPs, fruiterer's shop, in Bridge-street. It appears that Constable Whelan, who was on duty, passed the corner of Trafalgar and Bridgesireets 4.30, and proceeded to the Police Station where he put out the lights. He then returned into Bridge-street, when he saw a volume of smoke rising from Bun-ell's, and at once hurried back to the station, gave the alarm, ami then proceeded to the scene of the fire. The Brigade were soon on the spot aud worked splendidly. Captain Lightfoot saw at once that it would be of uo use to attempt to save the little shop, which was a mass of roaring flame, so he turned his attention to the adjoining building which was occupied by Messrs N. Edwards & Co. as a bonded store, the eastern wall and roof of which were iu a blaze. As it was known that there was a quantity of spirits stored here, it was a matter of the first importance to prevent the fire communicating with them, so the full force of the water was played on this building, with what effect may be seen by a glance at it as it now stands with a big hole burnt in the wall, and the shingles scorched and in many places destroyed, while the greater part of the building remains as sound as ever it was. All fear of the flames spreading in this direction being at an end the Brigade turned their attent/on to the shop 'in which the fire originated where it was yery soon enured out. The police and the crowd who had assembled rendered willing service in removing the goods from the bonded store. No damage worth speaking of was done to them by fire, although there is a considerable amount of injury by water, but not so much as, under the circumstances, might have been expected. The following are the insurances: — Burrell's shop, insured by Mr White, the owner, £200 in the Standard; stock fittings insured by Mr Burrell in the same #%e, £210; trade implements in the same, £45; M.essr« N. ll'dwards aud Co.'s bonded store, £350 in t'lie London and Liverpool; stock, £900 in the London and Liverpool; £950 in the Koyal; £1000 iu the New Zealand; £1000 in the Union, and £350 iu the National, The actual amount of damage done has not been ascertained. The origin of the fire, which broke out'jn tlie front shop, is altogether unaccounted for. We'understand that Captain Lightfoot intends having a photograph taken of the eastern side of the bonded store as it uow stands, with a view to showing what can be done in the direction of saving property by the Brigade and the water supply.