FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10314, 5 April 1894, Page 6

FIRES.

AT THE RAILWAY HOTEL. At eight o’clock last night, while the Fire Brigade was at work at the fire in Peterborough Street, another alarm was given, the scene of the fire this time being at the Railway Hotel in Manchester Street. The chemical engines at once left Peterborough street, and proceeded to Manchester Street. The railway engine and the Extinguisher were stationed at the railway tank, and soon had water playing on the flames. Later on the Deluge arrived, and was stationed at this tank. The fire was first discovered by Mrs Pearce and Mr Pearce, the lessee of the hotel, found that the skittlealley at the back of the hotel, and in which no one had been for some time, wa on fire. Ha could not get into the place for the smoke and flames, and I came back into the hotel to- try and save eome of the furniture. The main building, however, was soon in flames, and very little could be dons. . The building for a while burned fiercely; but'in a short time it seemed as if the flames were almost [extinguished; but at about'B.4s' the,'fira [broke out again, and tb'e flames burst; out iffom^RUpartS^ hotel. -At/about 9.30 ithe fire was practicallyfbut, but water was kept playing on the building till close on midnight. The main building, which contained about sixteen rooms, was [gutted, and the ■ outbuildings were;' completely destroyed. Very little was saved, the only things that were got but being a piano, a box of clothes and a few small articles. The place was owned by Messrs Ward and Co. The insurances are :—Building, J 31050 in the Commercial Union; - furniture <2200, and stock JBIOO in the Liverpool, London and Globe Office. •

There was a shop attached to the hotel, occupied by Mr T. Rogers, tobacconist. This was not much damaged by fire, but was flooded with water, and all the stock, '&c was removed. Mr Rogers’ property was not insured. 1

At 7.40 last evening a stable in Peterborough Street, belonging to Mr B. Lane, was found to be bn fire. The two chemical engines and the Chester Street steamer turned out and eoon had the flamesunder control; but the building was totally ; destroyed. Two polo ponies [which Vera -in the building were got out with difficulty. So far as is known the place: was not and ‘ the . loss is estimated at><24o. J -

! JAt a quarter past four o’clock yesterday afternoon a fire .broke out in the nursery at Mr Ephraim Toomer’a residence in Mathesbn’a Road, Linwood. Some clothes which were hanging in the room caught fire, but the flames were extinguished before the arrival of the brigade. Mrs Toomer states that damage amounting to between <BSO and <£6o has been done.