DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT THE CORNER OF GEORGE AND KING-STREETS, SYDNEY.

Southland Times, Issue 614, 4 January 1867, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT THE CORNER OF GEORGE AND KING-STREETS, SYDNEY.

— * * (From the Herald, Dec 22.) Scarcely had the engine returned from the firegat Bedfern ere the bells of the city rang the alarm calling the firemen for another and most destructive conflagration, which broke out shortly after midnight in the shop of Mr Neimke, tobacconist, opposite the Joint-stock Bank. When first discovered, there was but a small flame oa the floor of the shop, but as soon as the door was forced the draught caused the devouring element to spread with amazing rapidity, and in a few minutes it ascended to the ceiling and passed through to the furniture-rooms of Signor Zuccani. A dense volume of smoke poured fourth, with occasional flashes of flame, and the breaking of plate-glass windows in the upper story, combined with the bursting in of the doors of other shops underneath by the crowd, caused a noise akin to the din of battle. In about twenty minutes after the discovery of the fire the flames rushed all round the interior of the block; and the colonnades in the George-street front were also in a blaze. The heat became intense, so much so that the firemen were unable to remain close to the burning pile. Pears were now entertained that the wine and spirit store of Mr W. Long would catch fire, and efforts were made with some success to remove the stock ; but by the efforts of the men with the hose of one of the steam engines and a hand engine, the flames were kept back, and fortunately all fear of their extending in that direction was set at rest. The hotel kept by Mr Samuel, in King^treet, was also threatened, and a second steam engine was brought into requisition at this point, throwing a splendid stream of water on to the roof and the eastern edge of the premises in which the fire was raging. The destruction of the premises was rapid and complete. After making its way through the roof of Neimke's shop, the flame spread over the upper floor, and then went downwards to the shops of Mr Goulston, clothier ; Mr Marks, clothier ; Mr Abraham, hatter ; and Mr Abrahams, toy and fancy gopds dealer ; all of which were completely gutted — not a particle of goods contained in them being saved. Zuccani's lower shop, and a milliner's shop adjoining were gutted some minutes previously, a few articles being saved therefrom. The interior of the building seemed to consume as if it had been built of cardboard rather than bricks and timber, and when the fronts were burst in, the partitions or walls that divided the various shops seemed of the flimsiest character. Some idea may be formed ofthe rapidity with which this large block of about eighty feet frontage to King-street was destroyed when it is stated that nothing but the outer walls were standing in about one hour from the time the fire was first noticed. The flames rose high in the air, and occasionally turned from red to pale blue, while myriads of sparks issued forth and fell on the large crowds assembled. Portunately the wind was from the south-west, and carried them over King-street, as if it had blown from the opposite direction Mr Long's store could only have been saved by a miracle ; had that taken fire, it would be impossible to tell where the conflagration might have ended. Indeed, for some time there seemed no hope of confining it within the limits of the building in which it was now burning with terrible fierceness. One of the most difficult features of the disaster with which the firemeu had to deal was the main gas-pipe ; the heat melted the lead around the joint and a large flame issued forth on which the water had no effect for some time, but by perseverance it was at length extinguished. The books of some of the tradesmen were saved at considerabla risk ; and the exertions of the No. 1 Pire Company, with a manual engine, no doubt prevented the fire from extending to the southward. The first engine at the fire was the No. 2, from the station adjoining the School of Arts. We have been unable to ascertain the amount of insurance either on the stock or the premises. The amount of property destroyed must have been at- least between £20,000 and £30,000. When tha engines first arrived water could not be obtained in George-street, but even with a good supply it would have had little effect on the flame. The cellars were on fire at the time of our going to press, and the steam engines, were playing vigorously on the burning debris.

A Substitute fob the Lime es - the Drumhojtd Light. — A piece of the chloride of magnesia is placed upon a support of retort carbon in the oxhydroga flame. The chlorride decomposes and leaves a spongy oxide, which is raised to incapdescence and gives a very brilliant light, which is equal to the lime light in brilliancy and exceeds it in active power.