FIRE IN LEET STREET.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 95, 30 September 1863, Page 3

FIRE IN LEET STREET.

A r destructive .fire occurred in Leet-street on Monday last. ■ The flames Avere first perceived about .1.30 p.m., and no sooner seen, than the inhabitants of the district and the police assembled at the scene of action, organised bucket gangs and kept up a constant flow of water upon the burning house. Their exertions were, however, of little avail, for the flames played hide and seek about the rafters and deals, till they caught each other, and then blazing triumphantly, they left in the course of an hour, but a few charred fragments, and a couple of chimneys, which had successfully resisted what is popularly called "the devouring element." The house, one storied and containing five rooms, belonged to, and was inhabited by Mr Joseph Cameron. It was scarcely completed, and consequently uninsured. The proprietor had on the day in que-tion, after cooking within the premises, gone out, pulling the door to, but leaving some embers in the fire place. It is supposed that as a high wind was raging, the door was forced open, and the gusts whirling about the ashes had scattered them on th.3 floor and so caused the building to ignit*. A , house adjoining, had a narrow escape— the walls were much scorched, and it was saved only by the efforts of the bystanders. A good supply of water was obtained throughout from a we.l on the property of Mr L. Gilles, and all the houses clustered about were saturated, till there was no longer cause for alarm. The want of a fire engine and of a brigade was again severely felt. The absence of method in those who assisted, almost did away with the good effects of their willingness. The value of the premises destroyed is estimated at £150, which must, as a loss, fall heavily upon the proprietor, who, we understand, is a working man.