FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6837, 26 January 1883, Page 4

FIRES.

About half-put one this morning an »Ura of fire «u sounded, utd it *u soon apparent that a fir* vu raging in the northern portion of the city. Ihe hone* occupied by Mr J cocker, teacher of music, situated in Durham »treat north, near Salisbury street, «u discovered to be on Sre, and by the time the chemical engine reached the spot, the adjoining house to the north, belonging to Mr Dave, and occupied by Mr Ireland, had been caught by the IVnee blown towards it by the cooth-eaet wind. Ihe effort* of the brigade ware snceeesfolly directed by Superintendent Tarton toward* aaring tbie boose and also the one on the other side of the horning building which enu not in to much danger of destruction. The Deluge steam ire-engine and the Jtxtinguisher were both connected with the Wnateley road tank, and the forme; was irst to throw water on the fire, which had been kept from spreading to the booses adjoining by a judicious use of the chemical engine and extinct# urs. By this time lb Juncker's house had been almost entirely consumed, tad the fire had a good hold of Mr Ireland's dwelling. In a few minutes all danger of farther de*traction was orer, and the fire appeared to eubeide almost as rapidly u it had arisen. Hardly any propertywae eared by Mr Juncker,, who has lost a piano worth 60 guineas, a valuable library of music, and his household effects. The fire appear! to have originated in the kitchen. Mr Juncker retired to rest 1 about 12.30 a.m., a email fire being left in the kitchen grate, and it is supposed than tome clothe# left in front of this fire becitne ignited. So rapidly did the fire gain head w.y that Mr and Mrs Juncker and their three children had only time to escape from the house, the saving of property being out of the question. The furniture is stated to be insured in the Union office for £lso— under its value. The bouse destroyed was owned by Ur A’Gourt - insurances not ascertained. The alarm was given at one of the boxes near, but no number wao recorded at the station. The recording instrument «imply indicated that the circuit had been broken, and it wee only when the glare was seen from the look-out at one of the stations that the bells were rung.

A narrow escape from a serious fire happened at Ur Crompton’* iron-works, Armagh street, about hell-part 5 o’clock on Wednesday. By some means or other a heap of coal oust in the north • east corner of the moulding shop wm set on fire, it is supposed by a spark. The coal dust smouldered for some time, and at length set fire to the wooden from* work of the building. Fortunately, the flames were teen before any serious damage was done, and an ample supply of water being at hand they were extinguuhed without doing Any mischief beyond burning a portion of two of the uprights.

The fire which broke out at about 130 yesterday morning proved to be a stable used h a storehouse by Mr B. F. Davey, a hawker, and situated at theback of his house at the corner of th® Windmill and Haxeldean roads. Mr Davsy, it appears, wm away from home, and hi* wife had gone on a visit to her parents, Mr and Mre lewis, who live close by, and was sleeping in her father’s house when the ringing of the firebell* awoke her, and she discovered that the stable or storehouse was on fire. Nothing could be done to extinguish the flames, but owing to th* absence of much wind the house escaped uninjured, la the stable destroyed were firs sewing machines, throe entea of crockery, and a quantity of drapery and hardware, valued at 2160. The stable wm insured for 2100 in the Liverpool and London and Globe office, but the total damage dona exceed* the insurance. No clue has been obtained to the origin of the fire.