[ASSOCIATION'S TELEGRAM.] Christchurch, 17th March.

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

[ASSOCIATION'S TELEGRAM.] Christchurch, 17th March.

A fire broke out to-night in Schwartz's shop, in High-street, near the White H art Hotel . Smoke was noticed coming out of the shutters about a quarter past ten o'clock, and an alarm was given. A fire tank is nearly opposite the shop. Buckets were obtained, and a lino formed. The door was then broken open, and the counter wad found to be in flames, and burning strongly, the shop being full of smoke. The buckets kept the fire under till the hand engino came, which quickly settled the matter. A good deal of damage was done between the smoke and the water. ' The counter was on fire in three plao*a. Naturally, in consequent of tho entertainments at the theatre and drill-shed, both of which were crowded, there was a tremendous attendance of the public as soon as the whereabouts of the fire was discovered, Latir. The brothers SehwatU have been arrested on a charge of incendiarism. The Stock tnrn9 out to be heavily insured as follows : —Standard, £500; Union, £500; Transatlantic, £700. The shop is said to have been filled with dummies, while there were no less thnn three separate fires — two under the counter and one on the shelves. The shop is iv the middle of & large and valuable block. The two brothers were lately partners, but subsequently dissolved a short tine a?o.