GREAT FIRE IN SCOTLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3704, 24 June 1882, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN SCOTLAND.

The most disastrous lire that ever occurred, I in Aberdeen broke out on April 29th, and ! ' resulted in the complete destruction of the Market Building-the most extensivei of the kind in the North of Scotland.^ The buildings were erected 40 years ago, and cost upward of £30,C00. They were situated in Market-street aud TJnion-streot, tho leading thoroughfares in the city, and were tenanted by about 300 shopkeepers in various departments of trade. On the ground floor and ba-cment nearly 200 butchers', fruiterers', and fish stall, were situated, and round the gallery were the premises of watchmakers, baeket-makeis, haberdashers, toy-sellers, and dealers in fancy goods of all descriptions. It was in this upper gallery that the fire broke out, In tho shop of a basket-maker named Ogg. It was a few minutes to eight o'clock in tha evening, just at the time when on a Saturday night.the greatest crowds are in tho building, that flames and smoke were se«n wsuing from the shop referred to. Tho occupants of the othor shdpß and the visitbrs speedily realised their danger, and a sush was made to the 'staircase. In a few ■ minutes two dense banks of smoke filled tho gallery, and it was impossible for any- • bne to remain without being suffocated. - In less than half an hour irom the moment ■ that it broke out tbe flames had obtained complete possession of the building, and 'tho fire brigade, finding it impossible to • totve atiy portion of the market, directed their attention to the connection between ' the buildin* and one of the largest blocks ill Union-Street, They succeeded thuß far in keeping it in check, and also prevented • It extending to some stores of oil situated underneath. Tho loss by tho fire was esti- < mated at about £100,000.' The building,, whioh belonged to a public company, was insured, |and the»stock in several of the shops was alsp insured, but in the great majority of cases the damage is not covered, and the partieshave been completely ruined;