TELEGRAMS

Patea Mail, 11 February 1882, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

(per united press association.) This Day. FIBE at" NAPIEB.

£15,000 DAMAGE.

Napier, 10th.—The most disastrous fire for years past occurred this evening just after eight o’clock. It broke out in a building occupied by Mr Fair, the draper, who bought the stock of Messrs Price and Innes about a month ago. It is conjectured that an explosion of gas Was the cause, as the fire broke out simultaneously in all parts of the shop, and spread with unexampled rapidity. In twenty minutes £15,000 worth of property was destroyed. The Fire Brigades had just been out practising, and had put the steam fire engine into the shed and let the fires out, and this caused delay, as the fire had to be built, the boiler filled, and steam got up. In the meantime the hand-engines and hoses, supplied from high pressure, seemed to have no effect. The offices of Mr Gornford, solicitor, and Mr Carnell, photographer, next went, and though the contents were saved, they were much damaged in removal. Messrs Large and Townley's large furniture establishment next caught, and a small building at the side was gutted, all the carpets and oilcloths being destroyed. Most of the furniture was removed, but the brigades, by. almost superhuman exertions, saved the main building. Part of Mr Peddie’s old hotel was burned, but the new building now going up was saved.

American Consul at Wellington. Wellington.—Mr H. Levin, M.H.R., has been appointed American Consul agent in Wellington, vice Captain Mclntyre who has removed to Christchurch.