GREAT FIRE AT NAPIER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVII, Issue 984, 16 April 1862, Page 3

GREAT FIRE AT NAPIER.

(FROM THE 'HAWKES BAY TIMES,' APRIIi 3.)

We regret to have to announce that Napier has been this morning visitad by a most devastating fire, which, in the short space of two hours, destroyed property to the value of several thousand pounds. It began in the premises occupied by Mr. Aaronson, watchmaker, situated on the west side of Hastings street, and soon extended to the adjacent buildings.

The alarm was given at five minutes before three o'clock; a light breeze was blowing from the northeast; and the fire soon spread over the premises of Mr. Williams and Mr. Boylan, laying immediately south of Mr. Aaronson's and to Mr. Ferrers', the Golden Fleece Hotel on the north. Messrs. Barraud & Bridge's (chemist's shop) followed Mr. Boylan's, and the public school shared the same fate.

About four o'clock the fire was at its height, belching fortli a furious stream of sparks, and endangering the buildings on which they showered. By five o'clock, all the buildings named (from Ferrers' to the school house) were completely destroyed, and there was no immediate danger of any further extension of the fire. The damage done probably amounts to £7,000, of which about half is covered by insurance.

The following estimate of the losses sustained has been furnished us, but we need not remark that it can only be considered an approximation :—

Mr. Ferrers' Golden Fleece Hotel, £3000, insured for £1000 in the Liverpool and London Company.

Mr. Aaronson, watchmaker, £1200, insured for £800 in ditto.

Mr. Williams, painter, £300, insured for £100 in New Zealand Insurance Company.

Mr. Boylan, ironmonger, £1800, insured for £1000 in the Northern Insurance Company.

Messrs. Barraud & Bridge, chemists, £400, insured for £400 in the Liverpool and London Company.

School house (very old building) £150.

So fierce at one time was the flame, that Mr. Howse's property opposite the burning mass, was only saved by the protection of wet blankets, and these were considerably scorched. Nearly all the glass in these premises was broken by the heat. Messrs. Ford and M'Hardy had also recourse to wet blankets, which probably saved their building. Near to this were Mr. Thompson's Restaurant, and next again, the ' Times' office, and Mr. Danver's Auction Mart, all of which were in danger. Fortunately, the wind was in a direction that exposed no building beyond the burning block, excepting Captain Newman's house, perhaps fifty yards away, and the ' Herald' office still further off.

At the hour of our going to press, the fire was still smouldering, although no fears are entertained of the safety of the neighbouring buildings. Seven spectral chimneys only now denote the site of the fine block of buildings existing yesterday.

Every assistance was rendered by those the alarm had assembled, and some portable property was saved; but any attempt to save the burning buildings would have been like stemming the flowing tide.

An inquest takes place at half-past ten to-day to inquire into the origin of the fire—the greatest that has yet been seen in Napier.