SYDNEY'S BIG FIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 99, 28 July 1916, Page 4

SYDNEY'S BIG FIRE.

SOME EXCITING EXPERIENCES. j Press Association—Copyright, Sydney, July 27. The fire brigade made a splendid save in a difficult job. Stedman's was a three-storey, building, with a wide floor space, stretching from Clarence to Kent Streets and packed wth highly inflammable material and much valuable machinery. It was surrounded on all sides by big build-

mgs. Steelman’s was gutted right through. The hotel. Grand Central, was also severely damaged, particularly fifty or sixty rooms on ■ the upper floors by fire, whilst almost the whole building was saturated with water. The Edwards and Dunlop Company’s warehouse on the one side of Stedman’s and the David Mitchell Company on the other side were slightly damaged by fire. Both are heavy losers by water. Other sufferers to' a lesser extent are Parsons' Brothers, jam manufacturers, and Woollen’s soap factor}. Falling walls disorganised the telephone and telegraph service. There was much excitement at the Grand Central Hotel, the people sleeping on the top floors being hurriedly roused and found the flames breaking through the windows with clouds of smoke. Some had difficulty in reaching the staircase, escaping in the scantiest raiment. Two invalids were carried out. There were same narrow escapes.

The Grand Central Hotel was crowded with boarders, many of whom escaped in their night clothes in the chilly morning. The adjoining streets were crowded with their belongings. At the time of the outbreak, Ml Stednum and his wife were at the hospital attending the death-bed ■*■»! theii son. and were unaware of the fire. After the son’s death they made thenway to the scene and discovered that double misfortune had befallen them.

Stedman’s insurances amount to £82.546, including £4OOO in the New Zealand office, and £3900 in the South British. Other firms were largely covered. The damages are estimated at £130.000.