BIG FIRE IN THE CITY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12995, 24 December 1907, Page 8

BIG FIRE IN THE CITY.

SERIOUS OUTBREAK IN HIGH STREET.

About 2.45 this morning an alarm ires given for an outbreek of firo in the buildings known as Mister's corner, at the intersection of High street and Titam etreot. By the time thefiro had been noticed the whole of the two upper storeys of tho building (c three-storey one) wae a blazing inferno, and it is altogether inexplicable how t-he outbreak escaped observation so lons, as tbe fire, must have been raging for some hours. The ground floor was occupied by Master's drapery and clothing establishment, and Harvey and McDoroM'a tailoring shop, while the two upper storeys v.ere let for offices, etc. The fire evidently started in the upper portion of the building, and when the brigade arrived in response to tho alarm, tl\o Jower storey was ertill intact, while tho two upoer storeys wero a seething mass of flames. Messrs Koinpthorne, Pressor and Co.'s warehouse is situated next to the building iv which tho firo started, but at the timo of our going to press there was still no indication that their premises had caught, though it seemed a marvel that the flames had nob spread that far. The brigade directed tneir efforts to saving Kompthorne, Proseer's, and with a good pressure of water seemed to be holding tho flames in check in that direction. Among those with offioes on the. second floor was Mr D. E. Wood, dentist. Particulars ns to insurances, etc., were not ascertain able before we went to press. Tho large plate glass windows on the ground floor wero broken in, and crowds of willing workers assisted to save a large quantity of the articles of drapery, etc., displayed there. These were conveyed to tho right-of-way opposite, and placed in the safe keeping of a constablo. '