Fire in Queen-street.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2917, 6 June 1888, Page 2

Fire in Queen-street.

About 12.45 this momiug a glare of light was observed proceeding from a store near St. Patrick's Church, Queen street. Mrs Braggins, who lives opposite, was the first to give the alarm, and the firebell was promptly rung by the nightwatchman. The lire appears to have originated in the south corner of the building, or in a lean-to attached to that end, and when first discovered the flames had a good hold of the main building. The Volunteer Fire Brigade was the first to arrive at the scene of the conflagration, and promptly set to work with their manual. The Municipal Brigade arrived a few minutes later with the Jubilee Steam Engine. By this time the (ire had got complete hold of the building and contents, and the ad jacent building, a four-roomed cottage, occupied by Mis Carrick and her daughter, had ignited, and the Brigades devoted their attention to stopping the spread of the lire in that direction, in which they were successful, but not until the end and one side had been charred ami burned, and the shingle roof considerably damaged, The furniture from the cottage was promptly and carefully removed by many willing hands, to an empty cottage on the other side of the road, owned by Mr Caselbcrg, The store was completely destroyed, and the contents, which consisted of somo 900 bags of grain was partially burned, the rest lies in a smouldering heap and is rendered useless for feed, The building in which the fire originated, was one of two storeys. It was owned by Mr P. Gray of Taratahi, and leased to Mr P. Oarr, farmer of Te Ore Ore, and contained the produce of his farm, some 530 sacks of oats and 80 sacks of wheat. Messrs Lowes and lorns also had 300 sacks of oats stored in the same building. The Insurances are, on the building F, Gray ,875 in the New Zealand Office; on the grain owned by (Mr P. Oarr £275 in the National, and in the same office JEI2S on Messrs Lowes and iorns oats.

Tlio building adjoining is Town Lands Trust property, Mr George Watson being the lessee. It was insured in the National officeforilOO, and the building will probably have to be pulled down. The origin of tlio fire is unknown.