THE BRUSSELS FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 110, 17 August 1910, Page 5

THE BRUSSELS FIRE.

exaggerated reports. By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright Brussels, August 15. The fire originated through a short xarcuit in the illuminated device at the { entrance to the Belgian section. Sparks . fell on to some splendid needlework and artificial silk exhibit®. IjaVge portions of the Belgian and British sectionsi and of the French ali- j mentation court are wJwUy. destroyed. -I Very few of I. stock's animals have ( ibeen lost. . I j The British loss is'chiefly •old furm- j ture from Kensington Museum, specimens of porcelain, unique furniture from private collections, reproductions of British plate, and many pottery and textile exhibits. The British loss is within £ 100,000. French newspapers Teduce the entire loss to a million francs. There was no loss of life, but twentyfive person® were injured. The exhibition remains open.

DETAILS OF LOSS. | LLOYDS' INSURANCE'S. j TERRIFIED people. deceived August 16, 11 p.m. Brussels. August 16. ( The British sectidn, which was the . principal one in the Exhibition, was , completely destroyed. The French Wine Court perished in eight minutes. The Dutch and Spanish courts were seriouslv damaged, and others less so. ! priceless pictures in a separate ibuilding were unarmed. A safe coaiainiM 140,000 francs ('Exhibition takRecovered from among the j charred and twisted masses of ironwork, The domes and minarets were reduced j

to broken masonry. Troops are preventing further lootThe fire spread with terrifying rapidity, and there were frequent deafening reports and explosions of chemicals. Troops and' police invaded the Bostock Menagerie, and eight gendarmes with rifles were ordered to shoot, but the order was countermanded for fear they might shoot into the crowd. An elephant and some white asses and a monkey were freed and escaped. Lions, J tigers and other caged beasts were burnt, j The firemen were prompt, but many bouses were destroyed through lack of •wateT service.

The people of Brussels were in a state of pitiable anxiety throughout the. night, owing to rumors that hundreds 'were dead.

(Lloyds' do not believe their loss will exceed' £500,000. Their total insurance is £1,000,000. SAHES OF VALUABLES RECOVERED. (Received August 16, 9.30 p.m. * August 16: Hie Machinery Hall was saved. Safes containing jewels to the value of £600,000 were recovered intact in the Belgian section.