THE FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 200, 4 October 1867, Page 2

THE FIRE AT BLENHEIM.

Blenheim, was yesterday (Sunday) startled out of its usual state of quietness by a fire, which, for extent, exceeded anything we have hitherto experienced. The alarm was heard by one or two of the congregation in the [English Church, who quietly withdrew, followed a moment afterwards by several others. On getting outside the remark was heard that Denipsey's shop was in flames, and the resixlt was a regular stampede for the scene of the conflagration in the Marketplace. The premises of Mr. Joseph Denipsey stood alone on the western side of the Square, and comprised two shops — one used as a saddler's, the other as a toy shop, with rooms behind and one upper storey, besides out-houses, and was a very substantial building. Mrs. Dempsey was at church, while Mr. Denipsey had remained at home with the infant. Shortly before 12 o'clock he took the child out, and after conversing with a neighbour a short time walked down High-street a little way, when some one called out that his place was on fire. On running back, a volume of smoke was seen issuing from the roof. Neighbours began to gather^ who energetically rendered every assistance posible to. save all they could from the lower storey, and succeeded to some extent in getting out the bulkier portion of the stock and account-books, whilst the household goods were entirely consumed. Forced at length to leave the premises, the persons present commenced the removal of a quantity of timber intended for the erection of Mr. E wart's new hotel. Blankets were procured and placed on the roof of the Post and Telegraph offices, and the Royal Oak, and buckets of water poured upon them in profusion. The inhabitants of the s\irrounding premises took every precaution in case the wind should fresh and carry the sparks across the square, while buckets were collected from every available quarter, and chains of men formed for the purpose of passing them along to drench the burning mass as soon as the place fell in. In less than half-an-hoiir from the first alarm, nothing remained but a heap of burning timber and smouldering ashes. A chain of about an hundred men then formed to pass water from the river, which duty was admirably kept up by men of all classes for nearly two hours until every spark of the fire was completely extinguished. The Royal Oak had a remarkable escape, for suddenly a black spot on the roof began to smoke, and then burst into a flame. Instantly willing hands brought a ladder, a few shingles were ripped off, and a plentiful supply of water saved the building. Shortly afterwards a spark fell upon the stal&le in the rear of the same place, and for a moment made headway, but a rush being made for the place, it was extinguished by the same process as in the other case. At one time, just after the framework fell in, the wind sprang up and veered a little more to the north, and the Government buildings seemed in danger, but, speedily changing back again, the fire was fortunately confined to the premises where it broke out. The cause of the fire is quite beyond conjecture, as no one was in the house at the time when it broke out. It originated in the upper storey, and must have been smouldering some time before it was discovered. The pi'emises were insured in the ! Northern for .£4-00 ; and the stock was partially insured for other £400, but Mr. Dempsey estimates his Josk as considerably in excess of that amount. The universal willingness to aid iv the extinction of the fire, especially by laboring men, who may be said to have

little interest in the place, was remarkable, a?fe hut that to mention names — where a'&jlid their best— would bo invidious, we should be gltul to have mmle "honorable mention" of them.—Mavlbovough Express."

The criminal sittings of the Westland Circuit Court terminated on Friday. Arthur Tanner, the lato rate-collector, was found guilty of embezzling money, the property of the Corporation of Holritika. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with hard labour. John Allen, who had been convicted of stealing certain bank deposit receipts, and the second of a bill of exchange, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with hard labor.