DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HONOLULU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 317, 9 March 1878, Page 21

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT HONOLULU.

The Pac'Jic Adven'tiser gives the following account of a fire which occurred at Honolulu on December 18 : The most extensive as well as pecuniarily disastrous fire that has ever occurred in Honolulu or elsewhere on these islands devastated the lower or esplanade part ol this city on the night of Tuesday last, December 18. In proportion to the size of Honolulu and the property destroyed, it may with propriety be compared to the great Chicago fire, although fortunately there is lacking here the element of personal destitution and physical suffering which characterised the Chicago affair. The fire on Tuesday night was first discovered at about 9 o’clock. Several parties had run out into the yard, with the intention of “ stamping out” the incipient conflagration, but in a surprisingly short time the flames spread in every direction, so that these persons had to beat a hasty retreat. The cry of “ fire” was then raised @n the street, and the alarm wa3 struck from the station house bell, followed soon after by the bell on the tower of the fire department. The different companies of the department were promptly out and got on the ground without delay; but in the meantime the fire, with wondeful rapidity, had spread to the adjoining wooden buildings, and before the engines could get to work, the flames were mounting high, and lighting up the scene with a fearful radiance. The wind, which was from the north-east, was blowing a furious gale, and it soon became evident that an extensive conflagration was imminent. The fire-fiend marched on, laughing at man’s puny efforts to stay his progress, and only ceased his march when the harbor was reached, destroying the wharf of the P.M.S.S. Co. Everything in the intervening space was consumed by the devouring element. This includes —the stable and shed adjoining the fireproof building where the fire started; the storehouse of Green, Macfarlane, and Co.; the cooperage of J. H. Burns on Fort-street; the barrel factory and machine shop of J. A. Hooper oh the same street, and his rice mill on Bobinson’s wharf; the old James Bobinson and Co.’s homestead, part of the coral walls of which only are left standing; Allen and Bobinson’s shed and piles of lumber; lumber belonging to Lewers and Dickson; J. L. Dowsett’s woolsheds; the sheds and wharf of the Government devoted to the use of the ocean mail steamers; the piles of coal belonging to the latter and to other parties ; and lastly the fine large Government warehouses opposite the Custom House. These last were supposed to be fireproof, and would have been so under ordinary circumstances ; but unfortunately a large quantity of coal had been piled just to windward of them, and this getting well on fire was enough to burst the walls of almost any building. A large amount of property of various kinds was stored in the Government warehouses —wool, sugar, coffee, &c., which was all burned by 2 o’clock a.in., at which hour the fire had reached its limit. The only building left standing on its line of march was that on the north-west corner of Fort and Queenstreets, occupied by a saddle and harnessmaker. His Majesty the King was early on the ground, and with the household troops remained throughout the night, working efficiently on the brakes and otherwise. Governor Dominis, Marshal Parke, Deputy-Marshal Dayton, several prominent citizens, and the police were also active in rendering efficient aid in assisting the firemen in efforts to save property. The lower part of Fort-street and the esplanade was crowded with spectators, male and female, natives and foreigners, during the most of the night, viewing with sad interest the unwonted spectacle of a great fire in Honolulu. [The Advertiser here gives particulars of the destruction <>f property, which is estimated at 195,600 dollars, only 63,100 dollars’ wortli being covered by insurance.]