GREAT FIRE.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3462, 29 January 1880, Page 2

GREAT FIRE.

Several Thousand Founds worth cf Property destroyed.. The most distructive fire which has yet taken place in Oatuaru commenced to* day at half-past twelve in Messrs Bailey and Humphrey's warehouse. Within a few minutes the flainea burst through the roof, and at once it was evident nothing could stay the progress of the flames, for the adjoining buildings, forming a portion of the Queen's Hotel, were composed of wood. Efforts were at once made to remove all the timber in Craig and Co.'s timber yard, lying near the fire, and so prevent the fire from spreading in that direction, while scores of willing hands were busily engaged in removing the furniture and stock from the hotel, Baillie and Humphrey's store, and the small shops on the south side. The Fire Brigade attended quickly, but the want of ! a better supply of water greatly interfered with their, usefulness. With alarming rapidity the flames spread from the store wherein the fire originated to the back portion of the Queen's Hotel, and within a few minutes the whole of this part of the building was enveloped in flames. The rtfof of the store soon fell in, and was quickly followed by that of the rear part of the hotel. The progress of the fire at Baillie and Humphrey's was checked by a stone wall, and it was hoped the stone wall of the main part oi the hotel would prove equally effective in that direction, but the flames were carried under the roof by the breeze, and from the roof of the hotel the flames spread to the roof of Baillie and Humphrey's store, but a body of men. stationed there applying water, kept the

flumes from doin^ much damage. At the south of the Queen's Hotel two small shops, occupied by Murray, bootmaker, and Mcßridc, tobacconist, fell easy proys. The whole of the interior of the hotel was burned clean out, leaving nothing but the walls standing. Fortunately tbo flames spread no further, but still a vast amount of damage was done. The fire probably originated in the bakehouse adjoining the store ■in which it was first discovered. The buildings were the properly of Mr J. Markbam, and were insured in the following amounts, given as lump sums; it is impossible to say ' what proportion was upon the different buildings :— Royal £2500, New Zealand £1060, Victoria £1000 (£SOO reinsured in Union), total £4,560. Markham's stock and furniture were insured for £1000 in the New Zealand, £1000 in the Transatlantic, £600 in the South British (half reinsured in Colonial). Baillie and Humphrey's stock, etc., was insured as follows:— Norwich Union £1000, Victoria £1000 (£SOO reinsured), Colonial £1000, United £1000, Transatlantic £500, making a total of £4500. Murray's stock got slightly damaged, and was insured in the South British for £2000. Mcßride's stock not insured, but was fortunately saved. The total insurances amount to £11,860, but if; is difficult to say what ', portion of this fcbe several Companies will | be called upon to pay, but the amount cannot be set down at less than £8000. The policies held by Baillie and Humphrey do not amount to the firm's estimate of the value of their stock, which they set down at over £5000. At 5 o'clock the fire was completely under, and there is no danger of it spreading.