FIRE IN VICTORIA-STREET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4126, 24 September 1883, Page 2

FIRE IN VICTORIA-STREET.

Two Wooden Shops Destroyed.

Another soosational fire occurred at midnight on Saturday, tho scone being a block of wooden shops in that portion of Victoriastreet between Hobson and Nelson-streets. The buildings destroyed were two, in the occupation of Mr J. Williams, tailor, and Mr C. Allen, draper. It Mould appear that the outbreak originated on the premises of the laller, who .explains the cause as follows :—With the object of turning ott' the gas at the meter, ho crawled under tho window shelving, leaving a lighted candle on tin; counter. He believes that a draught carried the flame of the candle towards a muslin window curtain, and ignited it, because when he emerged from underneath the window the interior of the shop was a mass of flames, which extended to the ceiling. Assuming that there was no chance of extinguishing tho fire, he says he rushed upstairs and secured his cash, amounting to i' 22, documents, &c. ; but finding it impossible to return by the ordinary entrance, he proceeded from the upper floor window onto the verandah, and thence into the street. An alarm had by this time been raised, and the incessant clanging of the bells was alone sufficient to bring crowds of persons into town independent of the bright glare that illuminated the whole city. The Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps were on the ground when the flames wore bursting through the roof, but the operations of the Brigade were delayed from the same cause as at the recent Market lire. A quantity of bricks to be used in the construction of the new Old House at Home Hotel had been placed over the nearest tireplug, and it was found necessary to remove these before a lead of water could be obtained. In the meantime, connection was also obtained with the Nelson-street plug, and two jets were eventually at tlie disposal of the Brigade. One of these was directed against the front of Allen's shop, while the other wa« carried over the top of WilHami'B house and played on to tiie adjoining building. Both buildings were by this time completely enveloped in flames, and there appeared but little prospect of Williams'a house adjoining the shop and Atkinson's shop on the other side being saved. The pluck of the Brigade branchmen, however, was equal to the occasion. Notwithstanding the intense heat, the men onWilliams'shousemaintainedtheirposition, although tho shingles were curling under them, while, amidst the applause of the crowd of spectators, the other branch was curried on to Atkinson's verandah. Cheers repeatedly rewarded tho exploits of the Brigade, and each instance of bravery on tho part of the men was recognised by an enthusiastic demonstration from the spectators. Tho contest between fire and water at length resulted in a victory for the latter element, but not before Williams'a and Allen's shops had been completely destroyed. The success of the brigade is shewn by the fact that the charred, wooden walls arc still standing, while the buildings on either side are not very greatly damaged by fire. Aceldont to Captain Field. An accident of a somewhat serious nature happened to Captain Field, of the Salvage Corps, during the progress of the lire. He was assisting in the removal of a wooden railing from Williams'a verandah, when the structure suddenly gave way and fell into the street below where he was .standing, His foot waa unfortunately in the way, and was badly bruised by the heavy woodwork. Captain Field was taken to the rear of the tiro, where his injuries were attended to by Dr. Dawson. He subsequently proceeded home, where he is likely to be detained for some days in consequence of the untoward occurrence.

The Salvage and Naval Corps in Trouble.

An unhappy contretemps occurred during the progress of tho firo. When Captain Field was compelled to retire, there appeared to be a strong probability that Williams's house would be destroyed, and in his capacity as officer of the Salvage Corps, Mr field is said to have instructed one of hi.i men named Evans to have the furniture removed. Evans proceeded to carry out this order, but Superintendent . Hughes objected. Tho Salvage Corps gathered round tho verandah, however, and, with the assistance of the Naval Brigade, i who worked well throughout, proceeded to carry out. their orders. Volunteers from the body of spectators also lent their assistance, and in a few momentsthofurniturewas being passed out carefully. Without any warning whatever, the hose was turned deliberately on to the knot of people round the door, and before thoy could make their escape, they wero saturated with water. It is needless to say that "the subsequent proceedings- interested them no mo.-o." The affair was discreditable in tho extreme, and reflected no credit upon the Brigade. If tho people who were encaged in the removal of tho furniture were doing wrong, they might easily have been removed by the police. No justification can be shew n for tho course adopted, and for the future it is scarcely to be expeoted that tho public will venture to assist in the savingof property, even if suchaidshouldbe sought, as it certainly was in the present instance. Evans, to whom the order had been given, remonstrated with Mr Hughes, but was threatened with arrest if he did not take his departure. High words followed, to the amusement and disgust of the spectators, and had it not been for tho intervention of Cr. Crowthcr, it is just possible that blows might have resulted. It lias since been said that tho turning-on of the hose was accidental, but it is scarcely necessary to add that this was not so. It has further been said " that the hose was swept round on tho front of Williams's premises through a misconception of orders, and that thus the men alluded to wore accidentally drenched." This statement is disposed of by tho fact that it was not the brnnchman who turned on the hose, but as further developments of the trouble may be expected, nothing further need bo added at present. Saving Goods. At tho same time, thoro can be but little doubt that the removal of the goods was injudicious. Scarcely an article of Mr Williams's furniture and housohold possessions remains uninjured, and it is surprising ami discreditable that a number of oil Countings and other goods wero stolen. 'tiring tho early stages of . the fire, a portion of Mr Williams's stock was removed to a place of safety, while some things were also removed from Mr Allan's. The upper story of Mr Williams's shop has boon occupied for the last three years by Mr Harper, Mr Williams's father-in-law. He loses everything he possessed, including even his watch. The total value of his goods was £150, and he had not a penny of insurance upon them. Atkinson and Cahill's goods were partly romoved, and have suffered somewhat in consequence. Insurances and Loss. Mr Williams is a vory heavy loser by tho tire, lie owned the two buildings that were destroyed, and which recently cost £SOO in erection. They were insured in the Norwich Union for £o'2;~\ In the same office, Williams's stock was insured for £-100, but an inventory which has been made shews that this will not half cover the loss. There was also a policy of £100 on his private residence and furniture, but this will only be partial loss to the office. Mr Williams had a quantity of new furniture in tho rooms above his shop, with which lie intended to furnish a private residence which he is purchasing, andliavlng failed to effect any insurance upon it, this will greatly increase his loss. Mr Allen's stock and furniture was insured for £SSO in tho Colonial; Mr Atkinson's for £•250 in the New Zealand ; Mr Cahill, £•100 on stock in North British, and £200 on furniture in tho Colonial. Tho building occupied by the two latter tradesmen is not very seriously injured. It is owned by Mr J. W. James, of Mount Albert, and insured in the South British for £800.