BIG FIRES IN PAST

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25345, 19 November 1947, Page 8

BIG FIRES IN PAST

LOSS OF LIFE IN SILVER GRID ; Almost 30 years ago to the day, an- . other serious fire, in Christchurch caused ■ loss of life. Early on the morning of No- ’ vember 19, 1917, fire broke out at the . Silver Grid, a well-known boardinghouse and restaurant in Manchester street, between Tuam and St. Asaph streets. Three were burned to death, and by November 22, the death roll had risen to six. r Twenty-six persons were sleeping on the upper floor and the only staircase was burning fiercely. “The Press” reported: “Spectators state that the scene defied description. People screaming with the horror of their awful experience, staggered from the holocaust. One man went, mad with terror.” Many jumped from the first floor and crashed through the veranda roof. Nine were reported injured. i There was a fire epidemic at the time, several outbreaks occurring in board-ing-houses, including Coker’s Hotel. Extra poli-e patrols were called in. A week earlier, on the night of November 11, the block of building' known as the Canterbury Hall, on the site of the present Civic Theatre, was destroyed by fire. This comprised His Majesty’s Theatre, the Alexandra and Victoria Halls, the offices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and the Canterbury Industrial Association, and other suites. The city organ was destroyed. What was then described as the most disastrous fire in the history of New Zealand occurred on February 6. 1908, in the block bounded by High, Lichfield, Colombo, and Cashel streets, Christchurch. The total damage caused was about £300,000, and almost the whole block was razed. Sixteen buildings were either destroyed or damaged. The fire began in a warehouse occupied by Strange and Company in Lichfield streets, about 10 p.m. on February 6. It spread rapidly to premises occupied by Malcolm and Company, Benjamin and Company. Wardell and Company, Ashby, Bergh’s, and the White Hart Hotel. During the height of the fire, walls collapsea, and some of the firemen had narrow escapes. The water supply to the fire engines failed for some time about midnight, and between then and 1 a.m. the fire rapidly increased in intensity. By 2.30 a.m. the fire in the western portion of Lichfield street had almost been extinguished, but fresh outbreaks occurred in High and Cashel streets. Later, the flames spread from the original outbreak in Lichfield street to the White Hart Hotel, Ashby. Bergh’s premises, and other buildings. Great difficulty was experienced by the fire brigade in maintaining the water supply to the fire, and some water was drawn from the Avon. The fire was under control at 3 a.m.. but it was some hours before it was finally extinguished.