SERIOUS FIRES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume I, Issue 6, 11 February 1890, Page 3

SERIOUS FIRES.

Several serious fires-have occurred in Melbourne, and particularly iu one case the inadequacy of the fire prevention appliances to cope with outbreaks in the high buildings now so common was again shown. This was a fire in a five-storey building in just above little Collins-street, known as Adelaide Chambers. The flames broke out in the top storey, occupied by a lithographic business, 'and the brigades had almost to look on quietly until th” fire spread downwards’to the tiiird floor, above which the streams of water would not reach. The 'fire presented a very fine spectacle. The flames shot unrestrained into the air, and illuminated the whole neighbourhood, while from each window vast volumes of fire poured forth in an almost appalling manner. The’’theatres had just begun to be cleared of their audiences, and large crowds were’attracted to the scene. Messrs "Briscoe & Go. have large premises a'’door or two distant in Little Ooliius-street, and these were saved with difficulty.* ’Briscoe & Co. have forwarded a efie pie fur £SO to the fire brigades in recognition of their services, At the Port Melbourne abattoirs the stables have been’ burned, and eight horses destroyed. On Monday there was a series of fires, principally in the suburbs, and ’in some cases they had to burn themselves out, as there was no water supply.