IMMENSITY OF THE DISASTER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 8

IMMENSITY OF THE DISASTER.

FURTHER DETAILS. BRIGADES WORK CRITICISED. [Br TELEGBAra.— Special to The Post.] CHRI3TCHURCH, This Day. Last night's fire was probably the most disastrous in the history of the Dominion. A magnificent central block of buildings was completely destroyed, and only the fortuitous dropping of the wind about 12.30 saved the damage from being twice as extensive Tho fire was checked ultimately right on the verge of a seiyes of old wooden buildings, which would have fed it to such an extent that it must have crossed Colombo-street. Then the whole of the block to the river frontage would inevitably have gone. NEW BUILDINGS DESTROYED ; OLD ONES REMAIN. As it was the fire seemed, with the pcrvcisity of fato to have singled out the finest buildings for devastation, leaving comparatively old premises in safety. A notable instance of this is at the corner of High-street and Cashelptreet, where an antiquated wooden building, occupied by a hosier, escaped intact, although magnificent brick buildings all round were destroyed. The wooden building lay so low that the flames jumped over it and gutted tho premises on either side beforo continuing their destroying career, A SEETHING FURNACE. This morning, looking at the scone oi the tire, it was difficult to understand how such complete nun could be worked in such a short space of time. Several acres in the heart of the city wcro simply a roaring, seething furnace, facing on to three streets. A strong noith-east wind was blowing when the fire started, and served to fan the flames, which ate from the heart of the block out into tho streets from three directions. THE BRIGADE'S HELPLESSNESS. The fire brigade was practically helpless once the flames assumed control, for tho fire was bursting out everywhere, and at ono time it seemed as if the whole of the heart of the city must go. The brigade's appliances were totally inadequate, the water supply utterly insufficient, and even such labour as was available seemed not to bo administered to the best advantage. Time after time attention- was devoted to buildings \thich obviously were irretrievably doomed, whilst tho fire was insinuating itself into adjacent premises, and it became a serious question as to whether dynamite would not have to be resorted to to stay the progress of the flames. DRIBBLING ON THE FLAMES. The water supply was simply so many driblets from a garden hose Often the pressure was so weak that it failed to throw higher than the second story of the burning buildings. DELAY CAUSES A REVIVAL. Ultimately the brigade seemed to be getting the upper hand in the White Hart Building, but at this critical stage, the water supply gave out from the tanks, and delay was necessary to shift the engines over a quarter of a mile down to tlie river. During this interval the flames revived, and sweeping on took possession of several other important business premises practically restarting the- fire* THE WIND DROPS. Fortunately, the wind dropped soon after, ,and tho roof of Hallenstein's building in Cashel- street collapsing brought the fire down to the ground, and the brigade taking charge from' the roof of Beath's premises adjoining, the fire was stayed in that direction. Along the Lichfield-strcet frontage a right-of-way and a substantial brick wall in the Petone Woollen Company's premses servedto check the flames in that direction. By 3.20 the lire was well in hand. This .morning several acres of gutted buildings and tottering walls were all that was left of what was yesterday an imposing array of substantial business premises. Outside the insufficiency of watei{ supply, the defective appliances of tho brigade are stated to have resulted in much of the water available running down the gutters owing to leaky hose. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. The buildings seem to have been structurally unfitted for fire checking, and tho question is raised as .to whether architectuially safer premises cannot be devised. The High-street portion of Strange's wa3 saved through double iron doors cutting off tho nre. The first of the doors was in several instances burnt , from tho hinges, but the second door served to stay the flames. Otherwiso, the whole block would have gone. IN THE STREETS. As a spectacle, the fire was of course luridly splendid, but even the most callous melodramatist lost sight of this in the realisation of the immensity of the disaster. The theatre was hurriedly closed owing to the lights being cut off. General disorganisation followed ; tho populace turned out in thousands to watch the fiaines, and many willing volunteers helped in the salvage operations. INSURANCES, £300,000; DAMAGE, £400,000. The full lists of the insurances is not yet available, but all the companies must be badly hit. Speaking to Mr. Maddison, architect, this morning, he roughly estimates the insurance at £300,000, but says the' damage may be -anything from £400,000 to half a million. The full list of the insurances is not yet available, but all the companies must bo badly hit. Speaking to Mr, Maddison, architect, this morning he roughly estimates the insurance at £300,000, but saye, the damage may be anything from £400,000 to half a million. NO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. There were fortonately no accidents except a few minor injuries from falling glass and burns from flying debris. WORK ON ROOFS. Hundreds of people were employed in fighting the flames on buildings in adjacent blocks. Roof after roof caught fire, but was

that the roof of St. Michael's Church, fully a quarter of a mile away, was ignited. This was, however, quickly extinguished. Of course, nothing is talked of to-day but the fire, and hundreds of people congregated on the site of the conflagration. SAFEGUARDING THE PUBLIC. A number of dangerous walls will require immediate attention if 'the wind rises during the day, and will likely be a source of danger. The police and firemen are taking every precaution. The whole strength of the police force was immediately called out, constables being taken from all suburbs. Most of their efforts were devoted to keeping the people back from the hose and buildings. NOT MANY THIEVES; BUT ONE IS CAUGHT. Very good order prevailed, and every assistance was given them by members of the crowd. The potiea state there was not much thieving ; detectives in plain clothes wero present, and watched the goods on the stieet. One man was caught thieving by some onlookers. He was chased and caught and severely beaten. TELEPHONE SERVICE DISORGANISED. The- telephone service suffered rathor severely, but only for a short time.' All lights in the Post Office building suddenly went out, and operators in Loth departments had to work ry candle-light for an hour or so. There was a four-cable service in High-stre«t iv front of the buildings. It was destroyed, and tho service in that part of the town had to be stopped. Much work will be required to get thing 3 in' o order again, but it is expected that men will be engaged on work day and nig.it, and that two days may see the ser\ i- c sr use again.