FIRE IN WANSBECK-STREET.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 979, 9 June 1879, Page 2

FIRE IN WANSBECK-STREET.

An extensive fire occurred in Wans-beck-street at an early hour yesterday morning, resulting in the destruction of the small block of buildings from Teesstreet to the back of the Northern Hotel. The fire liad apparently gained a strong hold before it was discovered. The fire was first discovered by Constables Cameron and Wall, who were on duty in Tynestreet, and who noticed smoke and sparks at about ten minutes to 4 o'clock, and 011 proceeding immediately to the scene, they found the flames issuing from the roof of Mr. Larkin's shop, in which the fire originated. The alarm having been given, a crowd soon congregated, and efforts were at once njade to save the contents of the premises, for it was apparent that there was no hope of saving the adjoining buildings. Within a few minutes, the shop of Messrs. Moir and Son was 011 fire, and that of Messrs. Tudhope and Hendry and the two unoccupied shops at the lower part of the street soon followed. Under the direction of Mr. Hendry, who slept on the premises, the greater portion of the furniture 111 his shop was quickly and safely conveyed across the street, the willing hands available working well in unison and with greater care than is usually the case ; but as the fire was raging with fury in the other buildings, and as their contents were composed chiefly of small articles, it was impossible to remove much froin them. The buildings being composed mainly of wood burned very rapidly, and the whole block was soon levelled to the ground. The stables at the rear had a very narrow escane, and were only saved from catching fire "through the numerous sparks by a free use of wet sacks on the roof. The small iron building lately used as a refreshment room, and standing between the burning buildings and the Northern Hotel, also liad a narrow escape. The cause of the fire is unknown. Mr. Larkin states that he had occasion to go into his shop between 11 and 12 o'clock, and when he left, accompanied, by his son, there was 110 light in the building. The whole of the buildings belonged to Mr. Thomas Morris, and were only Partially insured, one of the policies having apparently lapsed some time since. The insurances are as follow 1- —Buildings, L4OO in the New Zealand Company ; Ijarkin's stock, L3OO in the South British (Ll5O reinsured in the London and Liverpool and Globe) ; Moir's stock, L&00 in the South British (L 250 reinsured in the Colonial) ; Tudhope and Hendry's stock, L2OQ in the South British. Messrs. Moir and Sonj we understand, had only recently reduced the insurance on their stock from LBOO to LSOO, and are, consequently, heavy losers.