FIRE AT MESSRS CUNNINGHAM AND CO’S.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2505, 31 March 1881, Page 2

FIRE AT MESSRS CUNNINGHAM AND CO’S.

SECOND EDITION

About five and twenty minutes to one o’clock this morning a fire broke out in the building at the corner of High and Lichfield streets Christchurch, in the occupation of Messrs P. Cunningham and Co. The alarm was given, and the brigade turned out promptly—so promptly in fact that they forgot to give more than a few strokes to the bells, by reason of which very few people knew anything about the fire. The portion in which the fire began was partly built of iron, and luckily was divided by brick walls from the corner premises used as offices, and from Suckling’s warehouse on the western side. It had just been vacated by Messrs Steggall and Howe, who used it as a chaff store, and was being fitted up as offices for Messrs Black, Davies and Co. The fire began in the back portion, but that is all that is known of it so far as we could ascertain. Beth steam engines were taken out, one being stationed at the White Hart tank, and the other at Wilson’s and Sawtell’s corner, and the handengine was early on the scene. The flames had obtained a good hold when the steamers got to work, and as some difficulty was experienced in getting water on to the flames, in consequence of the iron wall and roof, it was feared the block would not be saved. The Brigade worked very hard, and brought streams to bear from front and back, while, fortunately, the party walls kept back the flames at the side till the water began to tell. One jet was directed on to Suckling’s roof, which kept the tire well off, and in a few minutes, the interior being demolished, the flames began to die away. The tire was confined to the portion of the building in which it began, and the damage to the offices and the warehouse did not appear to be very great. All the properly was removed from Cunningham’s offices except the safes, and a good deal from the leather warehouse. Both buildings were insured,but particulars of amounts, or of damage were not forthcoming this morning. The Brigade deserve every credit for the manner in which they got so awkward a fire under.— “Lyttelton Times.” The estimated damage at the fire at Cunningham and Go’s buildings is about £IOOO, and is covered by insurances in the London, Liverpool, and Globe, South British, and National Offices.