DISASTROUS FIRE IN SHORTLAND.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 240, 16 July 1872, Page 3

DISASTROUS FIRE IN SHORTLAND.

At an early hour this morning the ominous sound of the fire-bell was heard for the first time in the township of Grahamstown. About a quarter to two o’clock the fire-bell rang out its direful peal, being first sounded by one of our staff. The first look told us that the fire was iu Shortlaud, and thither our reporter proceeded. Upon arriving opposite the Bank of Australasia it turned out that the de-

vouring element was fast consuming the buildings on the opposite side of the street. A large crowd of people had collected very soon after the first alarm, and they’ very sensibly went at some distance on each side of the fire to pull down buildings to stop the progress of the flames. The fire first started in what was at one time the American Bowling Saloon, and which has lately been occupied by a barber. Mr Crick was the first to observe the flames, which came out from the side of this building, about three feet from the roof, into a passage between that building and Hurley’s boot shop. Mr. Crick at once entered the Bowling Alley, and aroused the inmates, who did

not know exactly what was the matter. It took but a short time for the flames to spread on both sides, and ere long the inhabitants of the houses in the vicinity were busily engaged in trying to save their property. From the first it was evident that no buildings close to the starting point could be saved, and the attention of those who were directing the movements of the people was directed to the building next to the old Bank of New Zealand, on the one side, and to a

butcher’s shop next to the old Black Forest Hotel, on the other end. These houses were at once set on to with axes and ropes and were fortunately down in time to stay the progress of the flames. The preservation of the Bank of New Zealand and the houses beyond it was most providential, the bank being at one time actually on fire. A party, however, got on to the roof, and kept pouring water down the side, and the wind also shifting just at this time, the course of the flames in this direction was stayed. Foremost amongst those who were influential in saving this building, we noticed Mr Marks, of Grahamstown, who had a pretty hot billet of it on the roof, and Mr Baseley, assisted by r several men of the Naval Brigade. At one time the opposite side of the street was in great danger, the goods and furniture which had been placed in the centre of the street and right on to the footpath being actually on fire, and one of the houses was all but ablaze once. We noticed a great lack of energy on the part of the crowd, at.this point very few volunteers being found to clear the debris away from the street in order to prevent the spread of the flames. The wind, however, again veered round, and stayed the devouring element in this direction, and indeed it is a most remarkable fact that the shifting of the wind twice or three times had a great deal to do with confining the fire to its limit. The Grahamstown Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Mackie, were promptly on the ground, but unfortunately there were no fire-plugs close to the fin-, and a great deal of delay was occasioned, as the hose had to be laid on from such a long distance off. No blame whatever can be attached to the Brigade, as they laboured under very serious difficulties, having to carry the hose from Grahamstown on their backs, and when they reached the spot no convenient fireplugs were available. Had they been ready, however, even sooner than they were we are positive that the lire could not have been kept within its present limits, as the buildings were just like so much match wood. When the fire hose was got into play it answered admirably in quenching the flames, and when our reporter left there were only a heap of smoking ruins left. The Police force mustered well, Mr Bullen being foremost amongst the workers, and several of his men also did well. We must say that the crowd was the most orderly, and at the same time, with a few brilliant exceptions, about the most useless we have ever seen at a fire, it being very hard to

get volunteers to do anything, especially where the flames were hot. In all, fourteen houses were destroyed and their inhabitants left to seek shelter where best they might. The space left vacant is from the Black Forest Hotel to the Bank of New Zealand, and we have only the wind and Providence to thank for the fact that the conflagration was not much more extensive. We cannot this morning estimate the amount of loss, but will give further particulars in tomorrow’s issue. Amongst some of the most active at work we noticed Messrs Crick, Bullen, J. E. Macdonald, J. Alston, Ehrenfried, McCullough, Marks, and Baseley, besides many others who really did good service in directing the movements of those who were working to save the buildings in the neighbourhood. We also noticed several Volunteers, who rendered most active assistance, prominent amongst whom we noticed Mr Scott, who has on more than one occasion distinguished himself at fires which have occurred in Auckland.