GREAT FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12976, 2 December 1907, Page 7

GREAT FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

TWO WAREHOUSES DESTROYED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrights

MELBOURNE, December 1

A destructive fire started at 10 o'clock last night in the five-storey warehouso of Clark and Co., fancy goods importers, in Elizabeth street. 'Adjoining thop lace a he rear wort the Commonwealth Telegraph and Money Order Offices. The fir© spread with tremendous rapidity, and enveloped Wallach's largo furniture warehouse, tho Dux Cycle Works and a number of smaller places. By an early hour this morning the brigades had obtained tlie mastery of the major portion of the fire. Clark's and Wallach's premises wero practically gutter!, and serious damage dono to tho Commonwealth property, including the destruction of thousands of pounds worth ot telephono wire and material. Various adjoining properties suffered severely. Tlie wholo city was brilliantly lighted, and an immense concourse watched the blnze. A crowded verandah opposite the outbreak collapsed, and several! people wero injured.

(Received December 2nd, 148 a.m.) Tlio fire was the largest experienced hero for twelve years past.

Tho value of tho property destroyed was nearly £00,000.

The Postal Department lost £16,000 worth of material. *

It is feared that considerable, inconvenience will bo caused to tho public by tho loss of telephone instruments and wires. •