FIRES.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6247, 26 September 1885, Page 3

FIRES.

[By Txudqbaph.] rSPSOTAI. TeLBGBAJJ.} ' TIMABU, September 25. Early this morning Constable Satphwell noticed a strong glare of fire in the vicinity of the Theatre Koyal. He at once rang the fire-bell. After giving the alarm he pioceeded down the etreet and found that the building known as the Timaru Boot Palace (lately occupied by 8. Anderson and Co.) was on fire, and that the back jpart was' burning very furiously. The ringing of, the large bell was soon followed by that of the smaller one at the Police Station, hut owing to the belle not being rung long enough few people turned out. 'lhis was rather unfortunate in one respect, as out; of Eizteen firemen only five were warned and appeared on the scene. Captain Amos on going to the Brigade Station to get the reel, met one of the " Herald " employes, who returned with him and brought down the reel to* the scene of the fire. In a few moments a powerful stream of water was brought to bear on the fire, and the second length of hose was connected to a hjdrant (a double one), but on attempting to turn the water on a second time it was found that the cap connected .with the iod for forcing down the ball had become detached. The hydrant had then to be abandoned and another fixed on to the plug at the Club corner, thus causing delay. Afterwards another stream was brought from Woollcombe street corner, and the fire was Boon under complete control. Owing to the building! being under one open roof considerable difficulty was experienced in getting at at.-Just before the alarm was given, Keilly, the custodian of the Theatre Boyal, was awakened,, and calling his wife, took out the hose and hydrant from the stage through the. lower windows of the theatre. -On getting the hose out of window, a gentleman ran up, and placing a ladder against the roof of the right-of-way leading to the stalls, took the branch from Beilly'a hands. Mrs Beilly then turned the water on, and Beilly ran in and put on a few articles of clothing. It was then suggested that his wife should go and dress, but the reply was given she must stand by the hydrant, as the hoed h&B some short turns in it, and should it give way would damage more in. the Theatre by water than the fire was likely to do. For her action she deserved all praise, and the way she and her husband accomplished their tae)£ speaks volumes for the work of fire extinction at so risky a place as a theatre. The gear was at hand in order, and a strong head of water was directed on the burning mass four minutes from the first- 'stroke of the bell, and three minutes before another stream of water wae playing on the buildings. Beilly, after getting on the roof of the righfrof-way. was welt assisted hy Superintendent A-shloy, of the Bailway Department, and the Captain, of the Kaitway Fire Brigade, Christchurch, and two or three other gentlemen. The efforts they put forth, and the manful way *hey stuck to their rather warm task assisted the Fire Brigade in no small degree to keep the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildinge. The boot palace was entirely gutted, and there now remains standing but brick walls. The roof of Mr Collins , bookseller's shop next door to the" Palace, and which covers Mr Coxhead's fancygoode shop, also was more than once eefc alight, but the many streams of water directed on the spot soon quenched the names. These shops, however, were much damaged in the upper storey, and the stock in the shops beneath was very much destroyed by water and smoke. The fire started in one of .the back downstairs rooms of the boot -palace, and it must have burned for a considerable time before the firebell rang, as the building was «een by those who came on the scene immediately to be completely enveloped in fiamei, which were shooting out almost halfway across the street. The building burned and those adjoining are leased by Mr John Jacksen, and are insured for Jβ 1700 in two offices. The one burned was sub-leased to Mr T- Amos, who but lately improved it very much, and who is not insured. The.stosk in the boot palace was iniured for .£SOO m the New Zealand Office, JE2OO in the Union, and .£2OO in the South British, but the proprietora of the palace are heavy, losers, as they estimate the stock they had at .£2694. Collins, bookseller, has ha stock, i Ac., insured.in.the Standard Office for .£SOO and for .£SOO in the South British, and he estimates the damage he has sustained at about Je4oo. Mrs Coxhead has her stock, Aα, insured in the aorth ".BritiahtJnice for .£SOO, and she also estimates the damage done at several hundreds. Both Mrs Ccxhead's and CoUine' premises are bo much injured that it ie impossible to carry on business in them. - An alarm of fire turned the Brigade out about eleven laat night The glow appeared to be under the Hills, at the end of Colombo road, Irat the chemical engine, after a long journey, found it too far, and returned. _■