FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 130, 19 March 1879, Page 2

FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Shortly after ten on Monday evening tnc ’Lichfield street fire bell rang out a peal, and the alarm was given that the fire was close to the White Hart Hotel. It appears that a fisherman named Antonio and a police constable were near the White Hart when they observed smoke issuing from the premises occupied by Mr Schwartz, tobacconist, in the block known as the White Hart block. Prompt measures prior to the arrival of the Brigade were taken, and the door being burst open buckets of water which were readily at hand from those kept by the White Hart were thrown upon the burning mass behind the counter - . The fire was then in about three places behind the counter, and seemed at first likely to be a very serious matter. But the Dreadnought came to the front, and having

been put on to the tank opposite the White Hart soon extinguished the fire, and all danger of anything serious was at an'|end. The fire it may be said was of a somewhat suspicious character. The fire brigade were ofc-'The spot with their usual promptness —that is the Dreadnought. The steamers followed quickly, but theirservices were not required. The fire police mustered strongly under officer W. S. King, and the regular police under -Mr ~ Inspector Hickson were also present. The building is insured in the Sun Fire officaj and the stock in the Standard. Mr Schwartzj the proprietor, was the last to leave the shop about ten p.m., or half an hour before the fire broke out. The . police, acting upon the circumstances of the case, arrested Messrs Schwartz Bros., | who were lodge! in the depot. The in- % snrances weie on stock, £SOO in the * Standard ; £SOO in the Union, and £7OO in the Transatlantic, or £I7OO in all.