Fire at Eden Terrace.

Auckland Star, Volume IX, Issue 2489, 16 March 1878, Page 2

Fire at Eden Terrace.

A BREWERY AND TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. It is quite evident that a fire era. has commenced in Auckland, and the old proverb, " It never rains, but it pours," is yenned in the'present instance. Another fire of a disastrous nature occurred in Eden Terrace shortly after two o'clock this morning, the alarm being given from the various city and suburban firebells. When the fire was discovered, the flames had obtaiued agood hold on Suiter's brewery. Large numbers of persons congregated ou the scoue, and in a very short space of time many volunteers were engaged in doing all they possibly could to stay the progress of the flames. The Newton Fire Brigade was the first on the scene, and it was closely followed by the Salvage Corps, under Captain Butler, and accompanied by Superintendent Hughes, Police, Naval Brigade, and crowds or the citizens of Auckland. Owing to the inflammable nature of the contents of the brewery, it blazed fiercely for some time. The heat was intense, and many of the surrounding houses were greatly scorched. In a very short space of time Mr Watts' house, close to the brewery, took fire, aud burned rapidly. No water could be obtained, and therefore it was impossible to stay the progress"of the flames. At this time, several men cut through-to the brewery pipe.jtrack, and by breaking a hole in the pipe—whichjis not a city waterpipe, but a pri.ate lin. pipe, laid down by Mr Suiter—a small quantity of water was obtained. Mr Watts' house was quickly destroyed, and those of Messrs Taylor and Haslett (express driver) were seen to be in great danger. They caught fire several limes, but the flames were extinguished with the aid of blankets and rugs satin ated with water, and an engine belonging to tha Newton Fire Brigade. A good supply of water was now got from the pipe track,'and the flames, which had taken hold of Mr Boucher's shop, were quickly got out. At this time Mr Taylor's shop caught Are again, and it appeared likely that the destruction would be great; but in a very few minutes the walls and roof fell in, and the danger was averted ._ A great deal of furniture was scattered'about the street, aud the police were energetic in seeing that it was neither damaged nor destroyed. LATER PARTICULARS. It is supposed that the fire broke out about the chimney on ihe second floor. Mr Suiter, with two of his workmen named While and Patterson, were working in the brewery until almost 10.15 p.m., and before leaving, he banked up a fire in tho centre floor, to keep one of the large boilers hot. Mr White threw water about the front of the furnicc to prevent the lire falling out doing any damage. Mr Suiter locked the premise., himself, and he is of opinion that the lire originated in some way from the furnace or perhaps from the chimney, as it was known to be rather foul. The chimney is constructed with the brickwork round tbe boilers, with a large quantity of wood. It appears that the alarm was given by a man named Holloway, in the employ of Messrs Watson and Murray, brewers. He awakened Mr Suiter, and that gentleman was amongst the first persons present. During the progress of the lire, a number of persons were engaged in saving some of the stock from the cellar when seven tanks full of water, which were right above on the top floor, fell through with a terrific crash. Mr Suiter had his arm injured by the fall. Amongst those persons who worked so well in saving property we might mention Messrs Batger, Sinclair, Laurie. Ewington, Haslett, (2) Hood. The poiice. under Sub-Inspector Pardy, were also very energetic. The buildings destroyed completely are :Mr Suiter's brewery, oiiice, and outhouse, owned by himself; Mr Watts' five-roomed dwelling house, owned by himself, Mr Taylor's boot and shoe shop, owned by Mrs Suiter. Messrs Haslett, Bell, and Boucher's bouses suffered very slightly. About three months ago a fire was discovered in tho Brewery by Mr Suiter. The woodwork in front of ihe furnace where the fire was left last night was found to be on lire, and was extinguished by Mr Suiter. A quantity of stock consisting of corks, malt, etc., valued at £150, was saved from tho brewery, and about £SOO worth destroyed. The f urnitute from the other houses was saved. The brewery cost £2,800, the plant £750, and Mrs Suiter's house £250. The following are the insurances :— Norwich Union. £ Brewery 875 Plant and stock 400 1275. Nlvv Zealand. stock and plant ... .. ... 500 Watts' house ' 150 Taylor's house ... ... ... 150 SOO. National. Brewery COO Grand total .. £2675 Mr R. Rogers, patrol for the Insurance Companies, Association, gave the first alarm of fire, by blowing his whistle, which was answered by Constable MeGilp, which attracted the notice of Mr Pickett, who rang the New Zealand Insurance Company's bell.