FIRE AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2304, 16 April 1887, Page 2

FIRE AT HAMILTON.

A FiBK that, but the prompt and willing assistance rendered by those summoned to the scene, would have had most serious results, occurred yesterday morning. As it was the only building destroyed was a cowshed and wash-house at the rear of Mrs McGarrigle's store. The shed was also used for the storage of hay and lumber, and though nothing certain is known of the origin, it is supposed the fire commenced in the hay, though how it got their is a mystery. Mrs McGarrigle is at Morrineville, but her sister, who was in the shop, was told by the children that the shed was on fire, and she at once raised an alarm. Gwynno's gong was set going, the whole town was at once apprised of the occurrence, and numbers of people were speedily on the ground. They were, however, too late to save the shed, and at once directed their efforts to prevent the fire communicating itself to the large building belonging to Mr Joseph Moses, and now occupied by Mr G.' Cornish, who is agent for the New Zealand Tweed Company, towards which the little wind there was was blowing. The fences connecting the burning shed with Mr Cornish's outoffices were pulled down, and everything done to isolate the fire, but it was soon discovered that sparks had effected a lodgment under the shingles and saddle boards on the main building, and several of those present, foremost among them being Messrs Qua]trough, J. Wright, and T. Calderwood, quickly got on to the roof, and with the aid of sacks and a supply of water (which was scanty enough) succeeded in checking the advance of the fire. A considerable amount of injury was necessarily done to the roof, but this was the extent of the damage in this direction. Mr Cornish removed the greater part of his furniture out into the street, and some property belonging to Mrs McGarrigle was also removed, but as the danger speedily disappeared, little of the stock was taken out, and it was not therefore damaged. Amongst those who prominently assisted at the fire were His Worship 'the Mayor, Messrs T. Kirk, T. G. Sandes, J. Somers, Barton. Gwynne, M. Hume, Pannell, Templer, S. Davis and many others. The building destroyed>as, we believe, insured, but, in the absenco of Mrs McGarrigle, no particulars can be obtained.