THE FIRE IN CASHEL STREET.

FPETHBB PA.BTICTJLABB.' : .Jβ the brief report of the fire which took place in Caebel street, yesterday morning, *HOttly after three o'clock, many particulars , w ge, from tbe hrrry, necessarily omitted, and **j* we now supply. Xhelire vaß discovered at about 3.15 a.m. p Pratt and Constable Willie, •• : ?M«? I#ndon Bestaurant, th*ir attention Being firafc attracted by a column of smoke HB|io tbe air. Pratt once proceeded to the fire » whilst Willie went to ring mf Whito Hart fire bell. Sergeant Pratt at the neighbors, and broke into l »« Stitaurant, where he found that the

fire had obtained euch a hold that nothing could he done until the arrival of the .brigade. The Chief Fire Inspector, whose back premises adjoin where the fire broke out, was by this time on the ground, and gave orders to those who were present to remove the etocks of Mr Sandstein, jeweller, next door to the Restaurant, and of Mr Brass, draper, at the angle of Cashel and Colombo streets, which were at once carried into effect. Meanwhile, the fire spread rapidly. Mrs Paterson, who kept the Restaurant, with her barmaid, Miss Williams, had been aroused by Sergeant Pratt, with Mr and Mrs Pearson, fruiterers, in Colombo street. Mr Sandstein and family, in Cashel street, had to make their escape, but partially dreased. Fortunately, the neighbours kindly took them in, and provided for their wants. The alarm sounded from the White Hart bell was promptly taken up by the central station, and the Fire Brigade, the Fire Police, and the members of the regular police force, together with some of the Volunteers, quickly assembled. No. 2 engine from its close proximity to the scene of the fire was first on the ground under charge of Mr Foreman West, but whilst this company was in the act of laying the hoae from the tank in front of Matheson'e Agency to Cashel street, we saw the Hook and Ladder Company, voder Mr Foreman Wood, arrive, and they at once set to work to remove the fences and outbuildings at the rear of the premises on fire to prevent the conflagration spreading to the buildings in Colombo street. No. 1 Company was the next in succession, but they could not work their engine, as it had not power to throw water from the tank. The steam fire engine immediately followed, and two lines of hose speedily laid —one to Mr Pratt's, Dunstable house, in Casuel street, and the other by the right of way in Colombo street to the rear of the premises, but we regret to say that some minutes elapeed before the water came through the hose on to the burning mass, for at this tiir.e the Restaurant. Sandetein's shop and dwelling, the roof of Punstable houro, and the roof of Mr Brass' premises were all on fire, despite the play of the branch from No. 2 engine. But so soon as the eteamer got to work the quantity of water continually thrown upon the fire told very effectually, in fact speedily dashing it out, and thue putting a stop to the danger which at one time was feared from sparks and burning flakes, which had been carried by the breeze blowing at the time to a considerable distance. We may mention that the back of the buildings facing on Colombo street were at one time on fire, but were extinguished by the efforts of the Fire Brigade. The London Restaurant, occupied by Mrs Patterson, was insured for £500, and the stock and furniture were insured in the Australian and Alliance for £250, and in the Royal for £500, Mr Sandetein was insured in the New Zealand as follows: building, £200; stock, £700; furniture, £50 j and fixtures, £50. Mr Brass—building, £800 ; fixtures, £200; stook, £4000, in various offices. Mr Pratt, Dunetable House, had insured the building for £1000 in the Victoria, the stock was only partially insured, but sufficient to cover any loss. An error occurred in our report' yesterday, in stating that Mr Brass was insured for £2,600 in the London, Liverpool and G-lobe Insurance Company. We find that the risk of that company was considerably under that sum. An inquest will be held to-day at the White Hart Hotel, at two p m;