FIRES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15810, 28 December 1911, Page 7

FIRES.

SMELTING WORKS BURNED. United Press Association—By Electric » Telegraph—Copyright. BRISBANE, December 27.

A fire occurred in the smelting works nt Chillagoo. The.main building and also the ekctrio travelling overhead crane were severely burnt. The damngo is estimated at £7OOO. The works Will probably bo delayed for three months.

On Friday at Culverden a fixe occurred which resulted in severe loss to Messrs Byrne Brothers. Shearing was being carried on nt about half a mile from the homestead when the house was seen to bo in flames. The building was completely destroyed, together with all the farm implements and vehicles and a valuable dog. There was no insurance on the building. An alarm was given at Lyttelton at 12.10 a.m. to-day for a fire at a twostoroy building in London Street, owned by Mr T. Mutton and occupied by Mr N. Duffy as a confectionery and general store. Mr Robertson, Mr Duffy’s manager, who resides on the promises, gave the alarm, and the brigade. getting quickly to work, confined tho fire to the building, it being divided from shops on each side by brick walls. Tho upper storey was gutted, but no damage was done to the stock in' adjoining premises. There was no insurance on Mr Duffy’s stock, and the insurances on the building could not be ascertained.

On Sunday night a small residence On the corner of Studholmo and Denmark Streets. Tomuka, was destroyed by fire. The house was owned by Mr A. C. Watson, and was occupied by Mr Donnell and his wife and family. The fire brigade was promptly on the scene, but could not do anything with tho fire, which had a very firm hold. It appears that a kerosene lamp was overturned on the table by one of the children. The occupants rushed from the building and sought shelter at a neighbour’s. The house was insured in the Norwich Union Office■ for £l5O, and tho furniture in tho Now Zealand Insurance Company’s Offico for £IOO.