FIRE IN CASHEL STREET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5602, 7 February 1879, Page 5

FIRE IN CASHEL STREET.

At fire minutes to one o’clock this morning the fire-bell rang out for the second time, and on this occasion a fire proved to hare occurred in a building situate at the rear of Messrs Twentyman and Cousins’ large warehouse in Cashel street, the yard intervening, and used by them for stabling and storage. The building, which was of corrugated iron, was about 36 feet long, and 10 or 13 broad. At the western end was a stable, containing one horse, and to the eastward the building was stored with axles, chains, American woodware, &c. The eastward portion, which had a lower roof, was fitted up as a rack for stowing away bar iron. The fire appears to have been first noticed by a young man named Osborne,son of Mr Osborne, undertaker, who ran to where the steamer Extinguisher was still at work in Lichfield street, to aid in quenching the embers of the fire there, and told the engineer in charge, of the circumstances. Superintendent Harris had not left the place, ana he directed that the Extinguisher should be taken to the later fire, leaving the Deluge to complete the work in Lichfield street. The Extinguisher was accordingly stationed by the Cashel street bridge, and two lines of hose were conducted to the fire by a right-of-way leading from Oxford terrace, along the side of the building occupied by Mr Lawrence, photographer. Sergeants Hughes and Dutton, and Constable O’Connor, who were amongst the first to notice the outbreak, got into the yard by different routes, and in doing so they satisfied themselves that the premises had been left secure, the gate from Otahe! street, by the side of the large warehouse, being looked. The fire had evidently originated in that part of the store nearest the stable, and the entrance seemed to have been duly fastened. The stable door was made fast by means of a padlock. This was knocked off ny a young man named Charles Anderson, assisted by one of the firemen, and the two out loose and brought out the horse. They also brought out a saddle and bridle, and a hat and coat which were hanging up. Two streams of water were directed upon the fire within 14 minutes after the alarm was given, and there was then one of those episodes whioh serve to render our firemen so universally popular. Two of them got on .to the lower roof, in spite of an immense mass of seething flame which was issuing from a window, and brought one of the jets into play, crouching down the while so as to shield their faces as much as possible. The splendid act of courageous endurance dioitea a hearty cheer from the speptatore. Just then the engine unfortunately gave out for a few minutes, not having quite sufficient steam up apparently, but the slight cheek was of no moment, for before half-past one the fire was well under. A messenger had been despatched to Mr Twentymon’s residence, but that gentleman waa out of town. His son, however, was quickly on the spot, and stated that toe loss, of which ho could not then form any estimate, was at least partially covered by insurance. From the isolated ana secure position of the building the conjecture of the police that the fire must have been the work of an incendiary, seems to _bo the only feasible explanation. The detectives fancied that they recognised the hat and coat found on the premises, and perhaps those articles may bo a clue to the inoendlaiy.