SERIOUS FIRE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4371, 24 March 1875, Page 2

SERIOUS FIRE.

Invercargill, Tuesday. A disastrous fire broke out in the Albion Hotel about a quarter to four o'clock this morning, supposed to have originated in one ;of the front parlors. In a few minutes the north end of the building was in a blaze, and being an immense wooden structure, no hopes were entertained of saving any portion of it, and the efforts of the fire brigade were directed to protecting Rose’s brick buildings adjoining* These efforts fortunately were attended with success. The hotel and stables were totally destroyed, together with two small shops occupied by Wittiwer, tobaconist, and Aldridge tailor. The fire spread to a large ’ brick building occupied by Lewis Reid and Co., drapers* and the National Bank, and notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts to save it, the building was totally destroyed. Two smaller buildings in Esk-street likewise were burnt down* one occupied by Hatch, chemist, who moved out his stock, but is a heavy loser. Lewis Reid got out a considerable amount of stock, and tbe bank’s books were saved. The furniture of the Albion was almost totally destroyed. The following are the insurances, so far as ascertained :—On the Albion, New Zealand, £6OO ; SoutH British, £SOO ; Norwich Union, £6OO ; Australian Alliance, £450 ; National, £750 ; Victoria,- £IOOO ; £250 ; Lewis Reid and Co., Transatlantic, £2OOO. The brick buildings—Royal, £IOOO ; Liverpool and London, £IOOO ; Hatch’s store, New Zealand Co., £IOO j Dean, £IOO.