FIRE IN COURTENAYPLACE.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1894, Page 2

FIRE IN COURTENAYPLACE.

The firebfilla rang out an alarm about 1 o'clock thu morning, the discovery having been mado that a building in Courtenayplace was in flames. The Brigade turned out promptly, and was soon busily engaged in an attempt to subdue a fire which had broken out in premises of two stories occupied by Mr. John Griffiths, pawnbroker. A fierce southerly breeze was blowing, and although Capt. Kemsley and his corps were assisted by a splendid supply of water it was soon evident that they would be unable to save the building. The premises burned very rapidly, and in less than half an hour only a few charred studs were left. Two of the adjoining tenements narrowly escaped the same late. One of them — a. two-story dwellinghouse, owned by Mr. Robert Archibald, and occupied by Mrs. Speod — was ablaze for a time, but through tho strenuous efforts of the Brigade the fire was got under before the lower part of the building had caught. The upper story was'almost entirely destroyed, and Mrs Speed, who was not insured, has lost a considerable portion ol her furniture and effects. The house wab insured for J8250 in the Phoenix Office, and the damage is estimated at half that amount. The bnildiner on the western side of Mi. Griffiths' shop is leased by a Chinese gieongrocer, and has been severely scorched. The owner is Mr. Alex. Turner, painter, who is protected by a policy of in the Commercial Union Office. Mr. Griffiths states that a fire was burning last ni<rht in tho grate in one of the upstair rooms of the premises whioh he occupied, but was extinguished before he retired to rost. About 1 o'clock he woke up and found that tha front room was full of flames. He then rushed back to the bedroom, and roused his wife and two children, and was 311 st able to get them into the open air before fie whole of the upper story was ablaze. Ihe whole of the furniture, personal effects, and stocks, were destroyed, and as there was no insurance whatever, he estimates his loss at -£1300. The premises were owned by Mr. Charles Tringham, and were insured in the North German office for .£2OO. The Fire Brigade worked well, and but for its exertions the entire block would have been swept away.