FIRE IN ONEHUNGA.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 16, 16 December 1871, Page 3

FIRE IN ONEHUNGA.

EIGHT BUILDINGS DESTROYED. Shortly before one o’clock yesterday morning the firebells rang out the alarm for tho third time this week, and the bright reflection in the direction of Wake-field-street assured spectators in Lower Queen-street that the fire was a large one. The members of the Fire Brigade were quickly on the alert, and went so far as the top of Wakefield-strect, but from tho high ground it was seen that the fire was near Epsom or Onehunga. The glare was plainly visible from town for a considerable time, and evidently was caused by the burning of a large building, and mounted Constable Builen rode out to the scene (which proved to be at Onehunga), returning to town by 4 o’clock the same morning. He reported that the fire commenced in a large two-storey building in Princess-street, unoccupied, belonging to the executors of the late General Taylor. The next house, which was owned by Mr. C. Pike, • of Parnell, and occupied by Mr Willis, grocer, was also burned to the ground. This house was insured, but not the stock. In the rear of the last-mentioned house was a sixroomed cottage, belonging to Mr C. J. Stone, occupied by Mrs Morrow ; and on the opposite side of the road was a building used as the Custom-house, and in which were supposed to be the materials of the lighthouse for Manukau Heads, having lately arrived from Wellington. Both these buildings were totally destroyed. The Exchange Hotel, owned by Mr S. Furloy, and occupied by Mr George Codlin, next fell a prey to tho flames. The following were also destroyed : —A store belonging to Mr S. Furley,and occupied by Mr Isaac Wilson ; and a twostoried house and shop occupied by Mr Crawford as a grocery.