FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 189, 14 August 1869, Page 5

FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

A most mysterious fire occurred about 2 o’clock on Sunday morning in Mr. Russell’s music warehouse on liambton Quay. It seems that no one was sleeping on the premises, as Mr Russell has been for some time living on Te Aro Flat, close to the Panama Hotel, though at the time of the fire he was at the Hutt. The alarm, we believe, was raised by Sergeant Ready. The sound of the fire bells soon brought the Central Brigade on the ground, who were closely followed by the Wellington Brigade, who had much farther to come. It would appear that the fire had been smouldering some time without giving any outward sign of the damage that was being done within, as when the brigades reached the ground very little flame was visible, although clouds of smoke were issuing from every chink.

Upon effecting an entrance into the shop, to enable the firemen to deluge the inside, the man who went in with the branch was so suffocated with the smoke and vapour that he fell down insensible; and even after having been dragged into the fresh air, he was some time before he recovered consciousness. In a very short time, however, several vents were made. The back and front windows were broken, and four strong streams of water—two in front and two in the rear —were directed on the flaming mass inside. Only once did the flames break through the house, which was through the roof, but the extraordinary energy of the brigades soon smothered it, and the place was again dark almost immediately. In about two hours from the arrival of the first engines on the ground, the fire might be said to have been completely extinguished, so as to permit of an examination of the inside of the shop. It presented a strange sight, and was suggestive of the idea of the inside of a charcoal kiln. The destruction of the stock was almost utter; musical instruments, toys, and all the paraphernalia of a music shop, lay around in heterogeneous confusion; shelves filled with concertinas burnt without being displaced; while in the centre of the shop stood the remains of a once beautiful piano, valued by Mr. Russell at £l5O. In a room adjoining the shop, where were a lot of toys and perambulators, the fire did not enter, but the contents were more or less damaged by water. Every inch of the walls and ceilings of the back rooms, and of upstairs, was charred, confirming the imprc ssion that the fire had been smouldering for a considerable time. Indeed, so little outward sign of it was to be seen, that, were it not for the unusual appearance of the fire engines on the opposite side of the street on Sunday morning, unobservant passers-by would not have remarked anything unusual. Fortunately the morning was calm, otherwise the brigades would have had a more difficult task to perform. As it was, they covered themselves with credit, both by the rapidity with which they reached the ground, and the skilful and energetic manner in which they subdued the danger ; and every one present felt proud of our firemen. A messenger was sent as soon as possible to the Hutt for Mr. Russell, who mounted in haste and rode into town with all despatch. The sight of the ruin of his property is said to have touched him keenly, as his loss is heavy. "We understand that on <£ taking stock 5 5 recently he estimated the contents of the shop to be worth £4,000, while he is insured for but £I,BOO. During the eaily prog:c sof the fire one of the members of the Wellington Brigade, Lieutenant Laurie, had his hand severely cut by the plate glass of the front windows while endeavoring to effect an enti'ance. A casualty of a different kind occurred in connection with this fire. Mr. Prosser, we understand, is the loser of a valuable horse, from being over-driven ; it is rendered useless for further work, as its hind-quarters are paralysed. It was first ridden at a hard gallop from its stable to the engine house, and then driven furiously to the fire. The poor animal strained itself. This is a pity, as the horse has done good service on many similar occasions, and was a favorite with the brigades. The origin of the fire is unknown, while the peculiar appearance of the inside of the house baffles conjecture. It is said that at about 12 at night several people who happened to be passing smelled fire strongly, but could observe nothing. About the same hour, Mr. Asher, a member of the Central Brigade, remarked the smell of fire so much that he examined some of the premises close to, but of course failed to see anything. So far, there are all the particulars we have been able to gather in connection with this fire. An inquest will doubtless be held. Independen t .