BIG FIRE IN NEW YORK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 105, 11 January 1912, Page 5

BIG FIRE IN NEW YORK.

A DISASTROUS CONFLAGRATION. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. New York, January 9. The nine-storey marble building occupied by the Equitable Life Assurance Society and other great commercial corporations was destroyed by fire. Three men were killed by leaping from the too!, and Deputy-Fire-Chief Walsh is believed to be dead in the ruins. He was standing on the upper floor, when it crashed down. Other firemen clung to a window ledge, and were rescued, but Walsh disappeared. The president of the State Deposit Company, Mr. Goblin, took refuge in a vault and cannot be released. It will be necessary to saw through the iron bars before the rescusrs can reach the president.

The fire occurred in the heart of the financial district of Wall Street, and brokers congregated in hundreds to watch the fire. The loss to property exceeds £1,000,000. THE SOCIETY'S POSITION UNAFFECTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. George Ross, New Zealand representative of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, has received the following cablegram from the Sydney office of the society:—"Head office cable that the Equitable building is destroyed by fire, but the securities are intact, and business is only temporarily inconvenienced. New offices are to be opened in Broadway. Send notices to the press that policy-holders may. be reassured that the society's condition is not affected."