DISASTROUS FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 8

DISASTROUS FIRE.

ON THE QUEEN STREET

WHARF,

LARGE GOODS SHED DESTROYED

One of the most serious fires that has-yet occurred in Auckland, and certainly the most disastrous that has happened in the neighbourhood of the wharves, broke out on November 29 on the Queen-street wharf, and caused damage to the extent of many thousands of pounds. The last sensational lire which occurred at the wharves was that on the American ship, Leading Wind, but this outbreak was far more serious in its consequences. The large goods shed on the outer eastern tee of the Queen-street Wharf was totally destroyed, together with about £25,000 worth of goods which it contained, while the structure of the tee was to a laige extent destroyed. The total damage is roughly estimated at about £30,000.

Tho goods shed, which was the largest on the Auckland wharves, really consisted of two sheds under one roof, and they were known as "A" and "B" sheds. The total length of the two was about 200 feet, and the width about 30 feet. The building was idled with general merchandise of a valuable character, principally case goods, totalling several hundreds of tons (it is reckoned aboub seven hundred tons). This was all a portion of the cargo which was discharged tho previous week by the Shaw, SavilJ. and Albion Company's steamer Rangatira. from London. Tlie steamer was discharging cargo at the outer eastern tee of the wharf till the night, of tlie 27th and next morning she left for the South with the balance of her cargo. A large quantity of mining machinery and railway iron was discharged, but all of this was stowed on the wharf outside the shed.

The Fire Brigade and Salvage Corps worked with the greatest energy to subdue tlie flames, but their task, as I far as saving the shed was concerned, was hopeless from tho first. Lengths of hose were laid on anil water obtained from the supply pipe which runs down the wharf, but this proved quite inadequate, the yircs sure being insufficient. The chief engineer of the large steamer Star of New Zealand, lying at the western tee, got up-steam on the pumps as soon as possible, ami the steamer's hose, worked under tlie superintendanee of the master of the steamer (Captain Reid), proved to be of great assistance. The lire was soon noticed from tlie British warships Torch and Penguin, from Fiji, lying in the harbour, and detachments of bluejackets were rapidly sent ashore from those vessels, and worked fearlessly and well to extinguish the lire. In very few minutes after the alarm was given nearly tlie whole of the shed was a mass of dames, which burst through the roof, and leaped high in the air, lighting up the whole town. The corrugated iron rooting and the walls were soon red hot, and tlie sheets of iron began to tumble on to the wharf, to the great danger of the iiremen and .sailors. Notwithstanding the .great risk they ran the men stuck to their work well, and several of them had very narrow escapes from the falling debris. 'Sheets of iron frequently fell very close to tbe sailors and the members of Fire Brigade, and Foreman Clark, of the Brigade,' was hurt and had to be taken home. The two sheds destroyed were insured for £600 each, divided between the New Zealand and South British Insurance offices. The tec cost, some £11,000 to build, and it is reckoned that it is damaged to the extenof about £2,900. The Haniour Board arc however, taking immediate steps to repair the wharf and re-constzuct the shed and have just let a contract for repairing the wharf'for £2,8(30. THE CONTENTS OF THE SHED. The loss of merchandise is reckoned at £25,000 but this is approximately The shed was filled with goods of all descriptions, including millinery and spring goods in cases, cigars and tobacco, watches and jewellery, fireworks, flannels, calicoes, prints, oil in cases, etc. The gear belongin" to the stevedores, Cap to. Nearing »nd Streatcr, was in the'shed, and was all destroyed ; there was no insurance on it. INSURANCE COMPANY LOSSES. The losses sustained by the various insurance companies are as far-as known as follows : — New Zealand (including Harbour Board shed), about £1,900 South British (including shed) ... SOO National (estimated at) 700 North German ... .... ... 500 China Traders Company 500 Standard 350 Alliance 300 Lloyds' 300 Canton Office 280 United 200 British and Foreign Marine Assurance 2001 Straits Ho Thames and Mersey 67 Companies (names not disclosed) ... 2,000 Total £6,272