THE PIKE IN AUCKLAND.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 1025, 26 November 1872, Page 2

THE PIKE IN AUCKLAND.

LATER PARTICULARS. [SOUTHEIIN CEOSS.] It appears that about half-past 11 o'clock at night smoke was observed issuing from the lower portion of tho brick store occupied by Mr Frank Scherff, next Messrs E. and 11. Isaac's store, Fort street. Tho reflection of a fire burning brightly within was also shown upon the fanlight over the door. The person who observed this immediately gave tho alarm, crying " Fire," and several officers of the police force were quickly upon the spot. On the eastern side of Mr Scberff's three stores were two occupied by Messrs Bucholz and Co.; these two firms occupying the whole of the four stores comprised in what is known as Webb's block. The block is unconnected with any other on the eastern side, so that the flames could not extend in that direction ; but tho wind was blowing fresh from tho N.E, and blew the sparks and fire flakes towards the most pregnable point, namely, the Metropolitan Hotel and stores adjoining in Queen street, from the corner of Fort street towards the wharf. The heat was'so intense that it was impossible to approach nearer the burning building than the middle of the road, consequently the water fell considerably short of where it should have reached in order to have had the greatest possible effect in extinguishing the flames. At half-past twelve the cry was raised that the Custom-house had caught. The first showing any indication of fire was the western corner, but this soon extended eastwards and to Cochrane's buildings. Several ineffectual attempts were made to fit up the ladders but in vain. The ladders were not made to fit into the tops of each other by joints or other means as they should have been. The firemen seemed to'be paralysed by the inagnitude of the disaster. The branches would not throw water the requisite height, and difficulties seem to increase as time advanced. While these things were going on at the south side of Fort street, the flames were making sad havoc on the north side. The whole range of brick buildings between Messrs. E. and H. Isaacs'a stores and the lane runnin" along the side of Mr J. Craig's coalyard was in on solid flame. Shortly after this a portion of the gable end of Mr Bucholz's store fell outwards with a fearful crash. Fortunately the police had anticipated this event for some time, and prevented the people gathering in the lane. Had this not been done an awful sacrifice of iifo would probably have occurred. By 1.45 a.m. the fire on the roof of the Telegraph office had extended eastward nearly the whole length of the building. A species of paralysis appeared to have seized hold of-ail concerned, and the feeble squirting of water at this time was of no avail whatever. The spirits in Messrs. Bucholz and Co.'s premises now caught fire, and flames of the fiercest description ascended in the midnight sky. The hungry tongues seemed to lick the very air dry, aud one felt as if parched even at a considerable distance from the burning building. Several explosions of spirit casks occurred, and caused the crowd to give the building a wide berth. Now it was

seen that the firemen had obtained a more advantageous position to command the fire on the roof of the cus-tom-house and Telegraph-office, for large volumes of water began to rush over the roof towards Eort street. Eor a time it seemed as if they were to succeed in quenching the fire in this splendid and costly buildirg, which, as is well-kuown, extends in a solid block from Eort street to Shortland street. The hopes of the people rose, but in a few minutes they were doomed to disappointment. The flames from Bucholz's store were seen lapping themselves across the street on the roof of the Custom-House building and the slates began to yield under the intense heat, splintering in all directions. In a short time the whole roof of the G-overnment buildings from Port street to Shortland street was on fire.

Mr J. Sheehan organised a number of the Hobson Company of Volunteers, who, along with several members of the Engineer corps, entered the Provincial Government offices and succeeded in rescuing nearly the whole of the most important documents, including maps and plans from the Waste Land Office. These were conveyed in cabs to the police guard-room Chancery street, for safe custody. The telegraph instruments where removed from tho offices in Eort street before the flames had rendered access to them impossible.

In the meantime the efforts of the Tire Brigade to subdin the flames that were consuming the Post-office continued without success. The occupiers of all the shops and buildings in Queen street between Shortland and Port streets had, with assistance, succeeded in removing their goods, and things were being removed from the offices between the Post-office and the corner. So far away as Vulcanlane, people were hurriedly removing furniture and goods, and in Fort street nearly all the buildings which the flames had not nlastered were emptied

of tbeir contents. The culminating point of tbo firo was when the wooden portions of the roof of the Government Buildings, which, when standing, formed the feature of the conflageration, fell in, a cloul of sparks ascendjog which filled tho air, and rendered the scene one almost of magnificence. The following is the list of buildings destroyed and injured by the fire: —

Custom-house, Post-office, Tele-graph-offics, and Provincial Government offices. Bucholz and Co.'s bond and free stores, wholly destroyed. Three stores, occupied by Mr Scherff, and owned by Mr Webb, containing 25 tons of flax and a quantity of gum.

Messrs E. and H. Isaacs and Co.'s store, injured. Store, occupied by M'Arthur, Shera, and Co. Goods and building slightly injured. [We learn by telegraph that the damage is estimated at £60,000