DISASTROUS FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

Evening Post, Volume LII, Issue 156, 23 November 1896, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE IN MELBOURNE.

DESTRUCTION OP A CENTRAL BLOCK OF BUILDINGS. DAMAGE BETWEEN £75,000 AND £80,000. [press association.] Melbourne,' 22nd November. The most disastrous fire that has ever occurred in this city broke out last night between Collins-street and Little Flinderslane—the centre of an immense block of warehouses. The outbreak was . discovered in Beatb, Scheiss & Co.'s foSr-story clothing factory, and the fire had evidently been burning for several hours before it was noticed, for the flames had a firm hold, and quickly spread to Allen's (wholesale clothing agents) and Dean & Co.'s (oil aud colour merchants), which comprised a handsome block of brick buildings. Fed by Dean's large stores of oil, kerosene, aud other inflammable material, the fire spread with immense rapidity, and the block was soon one mass of flames, presenting a magnificent spectacle, and brightly illuminating the whole city and country for miles around. From the outset it 'was apparent that the block was doomed, and the firemen concentrated their efforts on saving the adjoining buildings, several Of which caught. J. H. Turner's (hut merchant) building and stock were considerably damaged; while on the opposite side of the street, Rogers's (stained glass merchant) handsome buildings and Collier and Sons' (importers) suffered seriously. The Assembly Hall (an old Presbyterian Chilrch, which is now used for the meetings of the General Assembly, and let for other religious purposes) was ignited, as also were some other premises, but by the strenuous efforts of the whole force of the city and suburban brigades the flames were checked before they had seriously spread from the first block. The premises of the Beath, Allen, and Dean firms, with their immense stocks, were completely destroyed. The fire burned all- night, and is still smouldering amongst the ruins. The damage is roughly estimated at between £75,000 and £80,000, against which there are insurances totalling £91,000. (Received November 23, 11 a.m.) Melbourne, This Day. The National Insurance Company of New Zealand had a risk of £1000 on Beath, Scheiss & Co.'s property, and the New Zealand Company £3000 on Collier's and £1500 on Turner's. Mr. David Beath, principal of the firm of Beath, Scheiss & Co., was in Wellington today on his way to Rotorua on a trip for the benefit of his health. The factor destroyed by the fire was one in which 600 hands were employed, hut the firm owns another at Collingwood, which usually employs about 300, and where part of the work hitherto done in the city can temporarily be carried on. Further along Flinders-lane than the factory the firm has a huge warehouse, which, however, has escaped the flames.