GREAT FIRE IN DEE-STREET, INVERCARGILL.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 83, 16 December 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

GREAT FIRE IN DEE-STREET, INVERCARGILL.

DESTRUCTION OF £7,000 OP ..PROPERTY. . (From the SottthiiAND Times, 9th Dee.) " ' It-is with deep regret that we have to chronicle another extensive fire in Invercargill. At about . half-past four this morning the inhabitants of the town were alarmed by the ringing of the large bell belonging to Mr. Binney, the auctioneer. The flames were , first observed issuing from the premises in the occupation of Mr. L. Myers, tobacconist; in the upper storey of which were the offices of the Liverpool and London Fire and Life Insurance Company. Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Roebuck's Empire Hotel was also observed to be on fire, and although the morning was very calm, it was apparent that nothing could prevent the destruction of every building between it and the south end of the block. The lately-formed Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, and a detachment of police under Mr: Commissioner Weldon. Great fears were entertained that all the inmates of the various Louses would not succeed in making their escape, for notwithstanding the almost total absence of wind, the fire spread with wonderful rapidity. "We are- glad to be able to state that this last calamity was averted, though some escaped with barely clothes sufficient to cover them. A very large crowd collected in a few minutes, and the most strenuous exertions were made to save the stocks and the furniture of the buildings to the south of Myers'. From the Empire Hotel, and from Mr. Myers', the tobacconist, nothing was saved. The next building which caught was the boot Store belonging to Mr. O'Hara, a small quantity of the stock having been previously got out. The adjoining building was the "Southern Cross 'Hotel, kept by Mr. T. Wright. The fixtures in the bar, a part of the stock, and of the bedding and furniture were saved, but. before the whole could be removed this fine hotel was enveloped in dense clouds of black smoke, which ere long burst in.to a magnificent sheet of flame. The Southern Cross Hotel was the corner building, but the fire, attacked the building to the right, in Don-street, in which W. Chandler carried on the business of boot-malcer. A considerable stock was on the premises ; a large portion of it was, however destroyed. From Chandler's to the premises of Mr. H. T. Ross, wine and spirit merchant, the fire spread with lightning speed. Mr. Ross succeeded in rescuing a great portion of his stock. Last of all, the store of Mr. H. E. Osborne, general dealer, was destroyed. At this point a gap occurred, and ' a line of buckets having been established and worked by a large number of willing hands, the side of the next house, in the occupation of Mr. Bruce, working jeweller, was kept sufficiently wet and cool -to preserve it intact. At the time when this mass of buildings was all on fire the spectacle presented was one of surpassing grandeur. Far above the highest houses the volumes of dense black smoke rolled upwards intermingling with vast jets of lurid flame, changing as it obtained complete mastery over the inflamable materials which' fed it, to the most dazzling brightness, whilst the crash of falling timber and breaking glass, and the hoarse voices of the men vainly endeavoring to stay the progress of the conflagration added to the horror of the picture. Although Dee-street is two chains wide the heat on the opposite sHe was intense, and the most strenuous exertions were necessary to save the Prince of Wales Hotel, directly facing the burning block. A fair supply of water was at hand, and by covering the front of the building with wet blankets, it remained unscathed, the white steam rising in clouds above the roof. From the time that the first alarm was given, until the danger was completely overcome, scarce three-quarters of an hour elapsed. We never witnessed a fire where there was less confusion, or more alacrity on the part of spectators to render hearty assistance. Every praise is .due to the newly-formed Fire Brigade Both officers and men worked splendidly, and gave evidence that with proper appliances at hand, their efficiency could not possibly be surpassed. We •particularly noticed Captain M'Cullbch, and Mr. Reese, who directed the movements of a large body of men. Most unfortunately the fire engine was undergoing repairs, and was therefore not brought on the ground. The police, under Mr. Commissioner Weldon, are also entitled to the warmest thanks of the community, for their almost superhuman exertions in quelling a fire which on account of the locality, threatened tobethemost serious, we have' yet had to record. Sergeant Chapman was particularly active. Amongst 1 private individuals present, who rendered the most valuable asssistance, we 1 may mention the names of Dr. Menzies. and I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M., of Campbell- • town. Had a breeze sprung up, nothing short of a miracle could have saved the : larger half of the business portion oJ L Invercargill. We are unable to give full > particulars, as to the loss sustained, but

- the following statement approximates to the amount of insurance on tbagprious 1 buildings and stocks : — ' W. Eoebuck, Empire Hotel, £300. . * , L. Myera, tobacconist, &c, £900. ■ Mr. O'Hara, boot store, Loss not known. , T. Wright, Southern Cross Hotel, £650. Mr Chandler, boot-maker, £200. H. T. Boss, wine and spirit merchant, £1000. ' • A rough estimate of the total loss is about £7.000.