GREAT FIRE IN SHORTLAND.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3432, 22 December 1879, Page 2

GREAT FIRE IN SHORTLAND.

Five Bouses Destroyed,

At a little before two o'clock yesterday afternoon a fire broke out in central Pollen street, Shortland, in a two storey building, up till recently occupied by Mr George Wilson, tinsmith. For the last week or so it has been occupied by a man named Corbach, in the employ of Messrs Ehrenfried Bros, and .who had been appointed care* taker of the building by that firm. The first indication of the presence of the fire fiend was the long forked flames •bursting from the roof. Thes* were observed simultaneously in several parts of the Borough. Some residents of Upper Albert street calling out the alarm before the bells rang, and thus conveying the intelligence to the Grahamatown Brigade, who had their engine and reel out as the bells rang—some residents in Mary street, together with Messrs 8. Young, Buttle, and Farrell, observed the flames amongst the first, and were speedily at the scene of the fire. Aa the bells rang an immense column of flame was shooting from the roof, and it was evident to the few citizens present and the terror-stricken neighbors that the progress of the fire could not now be arrested. Fortunately for Messrs Hetherington and Co., a strong wind was blowing from the north, and though the heat was intense, the progress of the flames at this side was stopped, a break of some 20 or 30 feet being between the two buildings. Blankets and rugs, new from the shop, were spread over the roof and wetted, by the jet from a small hose the firm had on the premises. While this was being done the Shortland Fire Brigade came up with their engine and speedily had a double hydrant ob the plugs. The Grahamstown Brigade were on the ground shortly after their Bhortland brethren, and were speedily hard at work. The flames had now spread to the roof of Messrs Martin and Son's drapery establishment. The only inmate was Mrs Martin, her husband and sons having gone for an after-dinner ramble. Willing hands were now at work moving Martin's stock across the road to Smales' buildings, while the stocks of Mrs Ereritt, grocer, Mrs Mbrbury, grocer, and Messrs Foy Bros., photographers, were moved over to Mr Baker's stables. By this time Martin's was a mass of flames. Fireman Hayes and^others were speedily on the roof of Everitt's verandah, and spread blankets while two branches kept the building wet. There was here a slight lull in the wind, and hopes were entertained of arresting the fire at this point. These hopes were dashed to the ground by tho wind again springing up and driving the flames over tho roof. The firemen stood it as long as possible, two of them keeping at their posts while the scorching flames fiercely flickered over their .beads. But they soon had to evacuate their position, and the next minute the side of the building had caught. At this stage a number of persons ran to the back of Messrs Foy Bros, and with hooks and ropes began demolishing the fences and small outbuildings at the rear of the old butcher's shop (Avenell's), between Everitt's store and Messrs Foy Brothers. The flames had by this timo taken' such a firm hold on Everitt's that Mr Fire-laspector Price ordered the demolition of Avenell's shop. This was speedily done by the firemen and other persons. In less than a minute the building was roped and pulled clean across the street, a hundred willing hands manning the rope. This caused a gap between Everitt's and Foy's, and the fire baying expended its fury, the reduction of the flames was now the work of a few minutes. After the subjugation of tk»

fire, it was reported that the large brick chimney of Mr Martin, draper, was in a shaky condition, and would, it was feared, fall, perhaps endangering life and limb. Several men of the brigades were consequently despatched with long poles to topple the stack over. A very slight pressure made it shake, and in a few seconds it was lying prostrate amongst the ruins. Messrs Hetherington and Co/a damage was but slight, only the stock of boots being removed. If the shutters had been taken down and the crowd permitted to move the stock the loss would doubtless have been severe. In Mr Norbury't shop some damage was done to the front shop windows. Two of the buildings destroyed are insured, namely, Martin's and Avenell's. Martin was insured for £100 on the building, £50 on the furniture, and £250 on the stock, in the Norwich Union. Avenell's building is insured for £100 in the North British. The other buildings destroyed were uninsured. Everitt's building (comprising two shops) up to a short time ago belonged to Mr Danby, but the present * occupier bad agreed to purchase it, paying a deposit of £20. Everitt's loss will consequently be. severe as in addition to the loss on the building, the policy on which only; expired a short time ago, the stock was somewhat damaged in removal. Mr Everitt also loses a valuable set of carpenter's tools* Mr Norbury estimates the damage to his stock at £100, but it will probably prove to be less than that. Messrs Foy Bros' premises were insured in the Imperial for £200. These gentlemen arc as yet. unable to . estimate their loss. Fortunately their instruments - are all right, and they are very well satisfied that they had got off so well. The small amount of damage to so fragile a stock ia creditable to the coolness of those who assisted in clearing the premises.