THE WILLIS- STREET FIRE.

Evening Post, Volume XVII, Issue 371, 18 March 1879, Page 2

THE WILLIS- STREET FIRE.

This morning Dr. Johnston, Coroner, and a ury of 15, of whom Mr. Blaker was chosen foreman, held an inquest at the Empire Hotel respecting the iate fire at Mr. B. Cohen's, Willis-street. . Mr Bruce Wallace attended the inquiry on behalf of the National Insurance Company, who had a risk of £800 ou the buildinff ; Mr. T. J. Ladd represented the Standard Company' who had £600 on the stock; Mr. Whittem, the Transatlantic, who had £400 on the stock ; Mr. Baker, the Royal, who had a risk of £250 on the stock. Mr. Bethune.and Mr. Nancarrow (Union) were also present. The Coroner, in charging the jury, said that it appeared that the Underwriters' Association of Wellington were inclined to request that an inquest be held on almost every fire that might happen in the town. As the Association were generally the persons most interested, he thought it his duty to accede to any request of that kind which cams from them. The present inquiry was held by request of the Association. The jury having viewed the premises, The Coroner observed that if the public once knew that an inquiry would be held upon every fire, it must act as a deterrent to wilful fire-raiainar. Mr. B. Cohen, jaweller, then deposed that he was the occupier of the premises where the fire occurred. On Thursday night, 13th inst., he left his shop at about a quarter past 7. He and his daughter had been in the shop on and off all day. The only fire used that day was a gas stove, in an adjoining room. He had also lighted the gas in the shop that night, and put it out himself. After extinguishing the gas they always lighted a candle to see to get out of the premises. The boy carried the candle. He put the candle out as they left the premises. Witness usually stood at that part ot the counter where the fire appeared to have originated. Under the counter at that spot were drawers containing light tissue paper and other things. Witness smoked a good deal, i and had been standing there smoking on Thursday evening. Witness left the shop in company with his daughter and the shop boy. Witness went to his other shop at the corner (the tobacconist's), and remained there about 20 minutes. He then started home in company with his daughter. They had ju<»t passed the gas works when he heard the fire-bell. He thought it was a false alarm, as it only gave one or two strokes. Presently two gentlemen with a cab overtook bim and told him the fire was at his >hop. Witness returned to the shop and found the Fire Brigade there. Theresa Coh?n, daughter of the last witness, gave corroborative evidence, and, ta reply to Sergeant Anderson, she said that when they left, the drawers under the counter were shut. She did not think Mr. Cohen smoked in the shop on the evening of the fire. Frederick Herdman, the shop boy, was also called, but his evidence threw very little light on the origin of the fire. He stated that he saw Mr. Cohen open a drawer at the back end of the counter on the night of the fire, but did not see him open one at the front end (where the fire originated). Sometimes -paper and other rubbish accumulated underneath the drawers Lewis Moss, captain of the Cantral Volunteer Fire Brigade, stated that the end of the counter near the window was thoroughly charred, and the firs apparently originated there. The rest of the building was simply i scorched, owing to the scrim and paper catching fire. Barnard Sae#sr, shopman at Mr. Cohen's tobacconist's shop, at the corner of Willisstreet, Sergeant Macmahon, and Sergeant Andenpn, also gave evidence. Mr. Cohen, re-called, said that the whole insurance on the stock was £925. He had removed some furniture insured for £300 to his house, previous to tbe fire. He valued the stock outside the safes at about £2000. The building was insnred for £800. He gave £4,100 for the premises. He could not account for the origin of the fire in any way. The jury found that there w.as no." evidence as to how- the fire ' originated, and the inquiry then closed.