SYDNEY.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1718, 27 August 1862, Page 5

SYDNEY.

DESTRUCTIVE FIBE AT KING-STREET.

[From the “ Herald” August 4.]

Shortly after six o’clock yesterday morning .dense volumes of smoke were observed issuing from the upper portion of a building in Bank Court, off King-street, occupied as a wholesale drug store by Messrs. John and Edward Row. Seen at so unusual an hour, and on such a day, little doubt existed as to the cause, and almost immediately afterwards the bursting forth of flames verified the apprehension that the building was on fire. There were few people about at the time, but the alarm having been given, the significant tones of the fire bell speedily attracted a large concourse of persons to the scene of danger. The engines of the Fire Insurance and the Volunteer Companies were promtly got into requisition, and it is mainly owing to their strenuous and welldirected exertions,supplemented by valuable voluntary assistance from bystanders, that the extensive block of buildings in George and King streets weres aved from what at one time appeared inevitable destruction. These exertions were the more deserving of praise, inasmuch as from the known combustible nature of the articles contained within the burning premises, they were attended with great personal risk. From the inflammable character of the goods stored in the building where the fire originated, and the hold which the flames had already secured all hope of saving it was from the first abandoned, and the labours of the brigade were accordingly directed to prevent the fire extending to the adjacent premises. In this endeavour they were aided considerably by the pecular position of the burning store, which was detached, excepting on the northern side, where it adjoined Messrs. Weeks and Co’s ironmongeiy store, at the rear of their George-street premises—a low single floored brick building, roofed with galvanized iron. The usual means were taken for preserving the adjacent properties by directing copious streams of water upon them, a work in which the firemen received effectual assistance at the bands of the crowd.

At a quarter past seven o’clock the fire had obtained complete mastery of the doomed building, the flames rolling forth in all their strength, and presenting a scene of fearful grandeur, which was subsequently considerably heightened by the ignition of the various chemicals, which imparted all the varied coloured hues of the rainbow to the monster tongues of flame that shot upwards, devouring in their resistless course every fragment of woodwork within reach. With regard to Messrs. Weeks and Go’s store, notwithstanding the intense heat emitted from the adjoining building, it was believed the party wall would partially, if not altogether, prevent its ignition; and in fact this hope would have been realised but for the unfortunate circumstance of the gable of the burning building falling upon the roof of the store below. The effect of this, as may be supposed, was to extend the fire which was previously confined to the one building. A large portion of the contents of Messrs. Weeks and Co.’s store consisted of farming implements, the woodwork of which speedily ignited. This extension of the fire occasioned very great consternation in consequence of it being known that quantities of gunpowder, saltpetre,&c., were inclose proximity to the flames. The disastrous results that might have followed from,the ignition of these materials were, we are happy to say, averted by the courage of various individuals who, with great personal daring and at imminent risk, searched for, found, and removed, the dangerous commodities. In this laudable work, Mr. J. G. Raphael was cpnspicious, also another person named Queely, and some others with whose names we were not acacquainted. As a proof of the danger that was actually incurred by these individuals, it should be stated that some of the powder-canisters were quite heated, and burned the fingers of those who removed them; and they must, but for their timely removal, have exploded, and have produced a destruction of property, and possibly of life, fearful to contemplate. One of the engines—fed from a hydrant in George-street—having been taken to the rear by the Post Office-lane, leading to what is known as Mrs. Eeiby’s cottage, and thus brought into convenient position for playing on the iron store, the flames in that structure were speedily extinguished; although the damage is considerable, and appears to have been occasioned almost as much by the falling of the gable as by burning. The interior of the store now presents an extraordinary appearance—the charred remains of implements, beat and broken articles of hardware, metal utensils crushed and partly melted, shattered glassware—these and other articles are strewed about amidst relics pf $9

broken gable and pieces of ihe damaged roof through which it descended. . . We have already stated that the exertions of j the firemen checked the extension of the flames in the direction of George and King streets, and that the principal damage was confined to the two buildings described. We must, however, mention that the adjacent properties were slightly damaged the rear of Messrs. Coutin, Griffiths, and Co.’s •premises, and also that of Messrs. Dawson, Egar, ; and Co., having sustained more or less injury. So far as at present ascertained, the damage is of small extent; but possibly the effect of the intense heat, and of the copious use of watei, may have been to deteriorate some of the valuable drapery goods stored there. Amongst the earliest on the ground was his Worship the Mayor, who, with commendable • foresight, despatched a messenger on horseback to the engine at the Botany waterworks, to have ' full steam immediately got up, in case the ordinary supply of water should have proved insufficient to meet the emergency. Mr. Bell, city 1 engineer, was also present, and lent his aid in promotion of the efforts of the brigades. As a proof of the effective manner in which the water is now obtainable in such cases, Mr. Bell, we understand, estimates that not less than one million gallons were drawn for the use of the fire engines, which were actively employed for about three hours. The first engine that arrived at the fire was the small one belonging to the No. 2 Volunteer Fire Company (commonly known as “the Pup”), stationed at Messrs. A. Moore and Co.’s, and this was followed immediately afterwards by the first of the Insurance engines. Owing to a difficulty in getting the fire-plug open, it was some time before a supply of water could be obtained, and the Insurance engine was the first to get to work. The tones of the fire bells roused the firemen throught the city, and in a short time there were no less than seven engines on the ground —namely, four of the Insurance Companies, two of the No. 2 Volunteers, and the one engine of the No. 1 Volunteers. Six of these played on the fire from Bank Court, while the one already described was taken down the lane abutting on George-street, from which position it was enabled to pour a continuous stream of water on the flames. Both the firemen of the Insurance Brigade and those of the Volunteer Companies co-operated under Mr, Superintendent Bown, and all did their utmost to accomplish the desired object of extinguishing the fire. The building occupied by the Messrs. Row belonged to Mr. Joseph Simmons, junior, and was insured in the Sydney Insurance Company for £ISOO ; it is a total ruin. The stock was insured in the Liverpool and London Office for £6OOO, and in the Northern Office for £3OOO. Messrs. Weeks and Co.’s back premises were insured in the Sydney Insurance Office for £2OOO, but the damage to the building will probably not exceed £l5O. The ironmongery stock was insured for £3OOO in the Sydney Insurance Company, and we understand in two other offices ; the extent of the injury cannot be at present stated, but |t is expected that £IOOO will more than cover the loss under the latter head. Nothing appears to be known as to the origin of the fire. It was however supposed that on a fire being lit in one of the contiguous houses a spark might have entered one of the upper windows, which have neither glass panes nor shutters, and have fallen upon the straw in the empty packages. It is certain that the fire broke out in the top floor of the building. Coining now, to sum up the extent of damage done; it is estimated in round members at £15,000, of which about £BOOO will be covered by the Insurances. It is impossible to give a minute account of what the losses consist of; but probably enquires in the course of to-day will enable tliis to be ascertained. Wo should state, that although all danger was passed by ten o’clock, Mr. Bown left men on duty to take charge of the property, and prevent any possible re-outbreak of the flames.

We ought to have mentioned above, that the city police were present in goodly numbers, and lent their aid in facilitating the labours of the firemen and others actively engaged.

[From the " Herald,’’ August 5.J

The cry of “ fire” has once more been heard in this city—in the midst of a mass of property in close contiguity, but happily surrounded by a population prompt to afford assistance, with the necessary appliances in good order and with an abundant supply of water. In former times such a fire would hare laid the whole street in ruins; but this calamity was promptly arrested, and we see from one fire to another an increasing experience and more effectual combination. The water-plug—the fire-engine—the preconcerted fore and spontaneous efforts of the people enable us now to master in a few minutes, and to prescribe the limits, of a fire which injjformer times would have defied approach and propagated itself with resistless fury. On these occasions we often see very fine qualities displayed—activity, and self-devotion, and courage—which show that we have physical and moral resources that will enable us to combat any foe who might assail the peace and property of the city. Every fire that happens of course tends to revive public interest in assurance, andinduces us to look with more care into the rights and duties of property ; and here, unquestionably, there is much to learn. It is supposed that every man’s personal interest will he the safeguard of his neighbour’s property, and that he will by taking care of himself take care also of his fellow citizens. This . principle, so boldly laid down in opposition to all interference, however salutary, is often found grievously at fault, and it is seen that numerous causes cross this imaginary force of useful egotism, to'misdirect or to render it inefficacious. It is surprising that there has never been any Parliamentary inquiry with reference to security from fire, and that there has been no legislation worth speaking of to distribute the risks which it occasions, and to exact from all a compliance with those necessary restrictions which involve the safety of lives and property. We often see immence magazines of the most perishable goods—property which could not be even moved without deteriorating its value, and which in the concussion and disorder of a fire would be almost certain to be destroyed, if not consumed—lodged side by side with small establishments which contain, flowing in ’all directions, the agencies of destruction.

The ancient system of dividing people by their callings, and assigning them their quarters, obviated some of these risks. In all the old cities of Europe there are still traces of this practice ; but the freedom of trade and the superior convenience of another form of location have left modern cities and countries without any of these precautions. Is it not reasonable that the public 1 should know precisely under what circumstances trades are carried on, and what is the kind of danger which subsists at their very door ? Is it not fair that every trade which containsin itself more that ordinary peril should be subjected to more than usual restraint and regulation? Unless from conscientiousness, or a sense of personal risk, better arrangements, are made, there is nothing to prevent the most dangerous accumulations. If we except one kind of article—gunpowder—there is no regulation imposed by law to secure a neighbourhood from perilous deposits in its very centre. We have in all directions quiet establishments where there is nothing seen to excite the slightest apprehension, hut where one of a thousand accidents would kindle a conflagration. Would it not be fair to society that either goods of this description should bo isolated in some particular part of the city, or that they should be surrounded with peculiar and effective precautions; that they should be lodged in vaults incapable of ignition—that they should be contained in buildings defended by walls of impenetrable thickness; that they should be covered with metallic roofs, and surmounted with parapets; that in short, nothing should be omitted to make it impossible for the kindling of a flume to ruin a neighbourhood? It may he said that all these obstructions to the freedom of trade would not

We do not, think ithist any reason whatever. The possession of all property imposes coat. Society, is not benefitted by any gambling process which gives cheapness to one section of the people and ruin to another. It is 'far better that safety should be the primary consideration. There are some trades indeed which hardly admit j of insurance, and thus proclaim their dangerous | character. There are some articles where the risk is so great to the offices that any premium which would not put the trader out of competition with the uninsured, seems to be insufficient. It comes, then, to a question of profit or no profit, because the coat of insurance may amount to the difference between a paying and a non-paying calling. If, however, a trader be put out of insurance by the nature of his calling, it is also injurious to his neighbours who insure. The offices, indeed, do not impose upon them the whole cost of the risk incurred, bat it is spread more or less oyer every class of insurance. The reduction of risk is of great advantage both to the assurance companies and to the public, for it is certain that no change which is not in its operation prohibitory, is sufficient to cover the difference of risk between the most dangerous and the least exposed species of property. In short, the cost of one class of insurance is actually imposed upon another. We do not remember to have seen any complete statistics of the destruction by fire in this colony so as to enable us to form an opinion of what constitutes the special risks, and how far the system of insurance would admit of modifications. It would be desirable to see under what circumstances fires are most common—what are the substances by which they are kindled ; what class of buildings are, in fact, most frequently destroyed; how far the risk from fire in the suburbs and country places in compensated by the form in which dwellings are built, their isolation, and their height from the ground ; whether, in short, the danger of destruction by fire is not diminished, from the quicker perception of ignition, as the dwelling is more contracted in size and level in contraction.

We have several times alluded to the practice which prevails in some of the continental cities, where municipalities are made the organs of insurance, as they are the main protectors of the people against fire itself. There is no doubt that an enormous saving can be effected on all house property by such a system. The value of a house, for instance, is rated in the books of the municipality, the proper construction having been assured by building regulations. Upon this value is levied a small sum that constitutes the fund of insurance which, when of a certain amount—remains to meet any emergency without a new rate. Thus, when a fire takes place, the cost of the building is paid by the city, under such precautions as may secure the public from imposition. This arrangement of course does not affect furniture or household goods, but it covers, nevertheless, a very large amount of property, and that, too,, without adding to the expenses of city management more than the cost of survey and registration, and the collection with other rates of the charge for fire. The objection, no doubt, to this plan is that such insurance is compulsory, and that it interferes with the liberty of every man to kindle a fire at his own cost. Whether, however, this infringment of liberty is greater than compelling a man to pay for the improvement of bis own pathway, for the lighting of the street, or for any other convenience, is a question with which w r e shall not trouble our readers, because we have no doubt they will prefer paying three times as much to an insurance company as to a city fund. It may, indeed, be asked : —Suppose half the city were burned down, what would become of such a system of insurance? The question, however, may be reiterated—Supposing this calamity happened, what would become of our present system of insurance? Such an event did happen in Hamburgh, where civic insurance existed, and we believe money was raised by the city without difficulty to make good its engagements, enormous as they were. A few years ago, there was a Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and it was enabled to carry half the premium of one year to the reduction of the next ; it was too good a thing to last.

(From the "Polynesian.")