Fire in Sydney.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 300, 21 March 1903, Page 2

Fire in Sydney.

♦ — . — CITY AND COUNTRY ILLUMINATED. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS DAMAGE. (TJNITBD PRKBS ASSOCIATION.) (By Electric Telegraph—^Copyright.) Sydney, March 20. A destructive fire occurred to«night at Heutsch's bond, Millar's Point, iv fact the largest and most destructive since Anthony Hordern's. The bond was an immense five-storey buildiag, covering something like half an acre. Its- owner was the Harbour trust, who took it over in convection with the recent resumptions. It was occupied by Oswald and Fowler, and stocked an immense quantity of spirits, furniture, and other goods in bond, roughly estimated as worth half a million.* Tbe building was divided into two stores, separated by iron doors. The fire started at the top floor of " A " store and swept across to "B " store. The top floors were well ablaze before tire five engine armed, and fed by thousands of tons of highly inflammable materials, spread like magic. In a very short time the whole interior was a mass of flames and presented a magnificent spectacle. The city, harbour and country for miles around were brilliantly illuminated. | Thousands blocked the streets. The whole force of the city and suburban brigades were at work. Saving the Bond was seen to he* an impossible task from the first, but the brigades successfully concentrated their efforts to confining the outbreak to the burning building.; Luckily the bond was detached on two sides, and no other buildings were in the vicinity. Some dwelling houses and an hotel were situated at the back and one side. The tenants made a hasty exit. ' The firemen, after splendid efforts, confined the fire to the bond. Three hours from starting the building was practically gutted. Tbe end and side walls fell with a ' tremendous crash, smashing a couple of vacated houses. The fire is still (11. Id) burning fiercely in the inside walls, but it is in hand. The cause of the outbreak and the amount of the damage jmd insurance are unknown. The damage will run into hundreds of thousands. (Received— This day, 10.51 a.m.) No definite information is available' as to the amount of damage or insurances in connection with last night's fire. The proprietors state that twelve thousand tons of spirits, varnish, drapery, furniture and other goods were in the bond, and estimate the value at a half to threequarters of a million. The buildding, which was seven storey, was valued at £200,000. It is understood that most of the insurance companies are involved, and that the total will reach a very large amount. A few of the adjoining buildings, including the Lord Nelson Hotel, were damaged chiefly by water and falling debris.