A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9016, 2 December 1907, Page 2

A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Press Association —Copyright. Received Dec. 1, 4.15 p.m. Melbourne. Dec. 1. A destructive fire started at 10 o’clock last night in Clark’s, taucy goods importers, a five storey warehouse in Elizabeth street adjoining the rear of the Commonwealth Telegraph and Money Order Offices. The fire spread with tremendous rapidity enveloping SVallaoh’s large furniture warehouse, the Dux Cycle Works, and a number of smaller places. By au early hour this morning the brigades had obtained the mastery of the major portion of the fire. Clark’s and Wallach’s warehouses were practically gutted, serious damage was done to the Commonwealth property, including the destruction of thousands of pounds worth of telephone wire and materials. The various adjoining properties suffered severely. The 'whole city was brilliantly lighted and an immense concourse of people watched the fire. A crowded verandah opposite the outbreak collapsed, and several people were injured. The fire was the largest for twelve i years and the value of the proprots destroyed is close oh £60,000. The official report states that the Postal Department lost £16,000 worth of material. It is feared that cousider- • able public i inconvenience will ho • caused by the loss of telephone ini struments and wire.

POST OFFICE IN DANGER. Received December 2, 8.50 a.m. Melbourne, December 3. The fire raged for hours and threatened to demolish the whole block bounded by Elizabeth, Lonsdale, Swaustou, and Little Bourke streets. ~ „ The fire started in a blind alloy, among a groat pile of packing cases and straw stacked up against the rear portion of Clark and Co. ’s warehouse. Floor alter floor of the warehouse gave way, and the fire defied the efforts of the brigade for some hours. When Clark’s was a mass of flame the conflagration steered northwards, and a'great crest of flame swept over to the Money Order Office in the Post Office block. The walls of Clark's ‘fell, find the small shops beneath became a ‘mass of red hot hoicks and blazing'timber. ■With-thia early Melbourne. These shops, which cracked like shells, were built in The.wiuu, fortunately changed to the south, and the pressure on the Post Qfilce y/as relieved. The more serious results of the' lire were confined to Clark’s and Wallach’s buildings, where postal material was stored. A block of ' eight two-storeyed shops was destroyed by fire in Wcr’ Melbourne. ' ' ■ '