THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 126, 7 June 1901, Page 4

THE WELLINGTON FIRE.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

The largest fire which has been experienced in Wellington since the Panamastreet conflagration in 18S7—and one covering a greater area than that historic blaze—broke out at an early hour on May 30th on the slopo of Mount Victoria, in a house on the west side of Hawker-street, occupied by Mr Charles Moore.

The Brigade turned out with admirable promptitude, and quickly had a lead of hose playing on to the burning house, which by this time was one mass of flames. But Hawker street is one of the much-talkcd-of high levels, and so slight was the pressure of water' that for all practical purposes it was absolutely useless, and with alarming rapidity the fire spread to the adjoining house, occupied by Mr H. Radcliffe. Within an hour after the alarm had been given more than twenty houses had either been burned to the ground or were masses of flameVnnd the brigade turned its attention to'saving two houses occupied by Messrs Lerwall Brothers, at the extreme southern end of Shannon-street. The task was a difficult one, but Superintendent Hugo aud his men tackled it with skill aud judgment and splendid energy and determination. The houses higher up the street were burning furiously, and the brigadesmen had to occupy a very warm corner indeed. More thau once the house nearest to those in flames caught fire, but the brigadesmen stuck to their task among the fire and the stifling smoke. Twice Superintendent Hugo was overcome by the heat and smoke, but he and the members of the brigade were determined that the fire should go no further, and at last, after a long tough battle, watched by a crowd which had nothing but words of praise for those engaged in the effort, they beat back the flames, and the fight was won.

AN IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE,

The sight was truly magnificent. Huge columns of flame shot up into the sky, and borne along by the gale, swept in resistless volume along their course of destruction, while millions of sparks and burning fragments formed a pyrotechnic display of a wonderfully effective description. The scene was particularly impressive" when viewed from a distance. Seen from the flat on the high ground at the northern end of the city the observer gained an adequate conception of the fearful speed at which the fire travelled. One could see a house standing clear of the flames. Suddenly huge red arms would clasp it, and in a few minutes nothing was to bo seen of it but chimneys standing gaunt and hare against the sky. As the fire pursued its career quite a forest of chimneys were exposed-to view, but so great was the heat that many of these crumbled to ruins as the flames passed by.

HELP FOR THE SUFFERERS,

A tremendous sensation was, naturally, caused in the neighborhood of the outbreak, and those who had been fortunate enough to escape and had not been forced to remove their furniture for safety’s sake, threw open their doors to those who had been less fortunate. And in every case help was needed, for so great had been the progress of the fire that remarkably little' had been saved in any case. Two young women escaped enveloped only in their nightclothes, and a blanket which they had hurriedly wrapped round them when warned of their danger. Some.would not believe that the fire could ever reach their houses, and were very "indignant when brigadesmen and constables seized hold of their children and insisted on the evacuation of the premises. In a very few minutes the houses were in flames, and were burned to the ground. One lady, who was very ill, had to be carried out of her house to a place of safety on a shutter, together with her six days old infant.

The occupants of the houses were “ put up ” temporarily in all parts of the city by relatives and’friends. Those without friends were given shelter by residents adjacent to the fire region. Much-needed help was rendered during the morning by kind-hearted fellow-citizens and their wives. Persons who had lost their all were to bo seen gazing upon the ruins of the spot they were wont to call “ home,” and many expressions of sympathy were extended to them in their time of trouble.

A SCENE OF DESOLATION.

As the long dark night merged' into day the scene was one of utter desolation. The flames had done their work, and had subsided, leaving only masses of still burning embers and huge flaring gas jets to mark their trail. All along the roadside wore piled heaps of furniture, some' watched over by owners or friends, others left unattended, while round about stood many of the victims [of the fire. One could tell them by their attire—or their lack of it. Ladies in men’s macintoshes and hats and cloaks—anything that would serve the purpose, snatched up in haste while the flames bade them hurry for their lives ; men in strange and unaccustomed garments, many of them borrowed from friends, all with tales to tell of the loss of household treasures which no insurance could replace. “ Only a few weeks ago,” said a lady, “ I spent £IOO in furnishing my drawing-room afresh. It’s all gone, even to my wedding presents.” Another lady was wearing garments all of which, with the exception of a dressing-gown, had been borrowed. Everything else, even the child’s clothes, had been destroyed. One man burned out —not a stick of furniture saved —had under his Itm a canary bird in a cage, which he had just managed to snatch up as he left the burning building.