DESTUCTIVE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 115, 23 May 1885, Page 5

DESTUCTIVE FIRE.

Garlick and Cranwell's Furniture Factory Gutted.

An outbreak of fire occurred shortly after 0 a;m, on Saturday, May 10, in tlia large threestory cement building at the corner of Lome and Rutland-streets usod by Messrs Garlick and Cranwelr as a furniture factory. The firo had advanced beyond tho incipient stages boforo its discovory,',and as a natural consequence, the top story, where tho outbreak had occurred, was completely gutted, while tho contonte of the lower stories woro seriously damaged by the copious stroams of water poured into tho structure. The fire was first observed by Mr Martin, of tho Pacific Hotel, who was at tho roar of his premises at tho timo. Ho saw tho glaro through tho factory windows, and running through to tho street informed a newspaper runnor, by whom the alarm ; was subsequently given. Tho Fire Brigade was speedily on tho scone, and the connections with tho adjacent hydrants were promptly mado. Thoro was an oxcellent pressure of water, but it was lessened during tho progress of the firo by tho bursting of a pipe in Patteson-stroot. The Brigade found, upon their arrival, that the seat of tho fire was in tho top story, and sevoral leads of hoso woro soon brought to bear upon it. Tho rooms in that portion of tho factory contained large quantities of flock and kapok, besides a number of cases of bontwood chairs. Donso volumes of ainolco roflo from tho bedding material, and impeded tho operations of tbo promises to a considerable ex tent. ThooH'ect of tho water soon bocameapparont. Tho flames began to subside quickly, and while thero was vory little prospect of their rapidextinguishmont, tho danger that they would extend to the neighbouring promises was soon romovod. Indeed, tho Brigade wero so far successful in thoir efforts that the tiro was practically confined to tho story in which it originated. It is truo that tho' flooring was burnt through nil along the front, and that a quantity of burning Hock which fell through to tho second story threatened for a short timo to ignite the materials lying about thero. This sourco of danger,was however, rendered harmless by a judicious application of wator. Tho escape was a narrow ojo, but the timely discovery minimised tho danger. Another narrow escape of a difVorent, charactor happened shortly afterwards. Tho Brigade wero working in the top story, when t(io roof suddenly fell in upon them. Their position for n moment or two was anything but pleasant, but the good fortune which has hithorto boen quite characteristic of the Brigade's operation? again attended tho men, and thoy escaped unhurt. The fire continued to burn for hours after the crisis was passed, and it was not until aftor ton o'clock that tho Firo Brigade was withdrawn. Tho police mustered in force, while the Salvage Corps was also prosont, and lent valuable assistance Mr Crowther very kindly provided nofi'oe and othor stimulants of a somewhat stronger nature for the firemen during their arduous labours at tho firo. Nothing whatever is known respecting the cause of the outbreak. Tho factory building was made of Mahuraugi lime concroto, and WO understand that this, is the fn'St occasion on which a building composed entirely of this material has had to (stand tho cruoial tost of firo. Many old bricklayers in tho city havo been dubious regarding; the hoat-ro-histine qualities of Mahurangi lime cement, and havo prophesied that in case of firo tho walls would crack. This firo bliows that tho fear is unfounded. The walls of tho factory havo stood the fire oven bettor than brick, and thoro is not a singlo crack observable. Tho original cost of tho building was £1,600. ard the plant, machinery, etc., was valued at £400. Tho total loss was found to amount to £'2,103, as por statement made up by the firm. Of this, only £l; 000 is covered by insurance, so that tho net loss is considerable.