FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXI, Issue 207, 11 September 1885, Page 2

FIRE AT WELLINGTON.

NARROW ESCAPE OF THE EMPIRE

HOTEL.

Weilington, Sept 11. Shortly before six this morning a fire broke out ia a building situated m Willia street, known as the Empire building, and owned by the Northern Land lioan and Building Company. The down stairs portion of the building ia occupied by J. Dempsey, Tailor, Elliott and Co., Scotmakers, and E. J. Hill, Hatter ; and the npstaira portion was subdivided into offices, but most ol them were nntenanted. It is supposed the fire broke out m the back room attached to Dempsey's shop, and at once spread through the whole building. Before the Fire Biigade succeeded m subduing the flames the buildings were thoroughly gutted. Dempsey's stock was of oourse destroyed, and Elliott and Co's large stock has been seriously damaged by water. Hill buoceeded m removing his Btook with bnt little damage. The papers m the offices upstairs occnpied by Messrs Quill and Cronan and J. Smith were destroyed. The Empire Hotel which adjoins that destroyed had a very narrow eseape,r&nd at one time the pantry attached to tha hotel was ou fire. Dempsey is a heavy loser, as ha was not insured. The others were insured, but the amounts have not yet been ascertained. The origin of the fire is surrounded In mystery, bat it is thought Dempaey must have left a flra burning.

Later, The following are the insurances on this morning's fire :-The buildings were insured m tba Colonial for £2,250. Re-insured as follows, £250 Imperial, £500 London and Lancashire, £300 Standard, £203 Aubtralian Mercantile Union, £500 Phoenix. Elliott's stock was insured for £500 m the Manohester and £1200 m the Colonial, the latter having re.insnred to the f nil amount as follows .'—United £250, Hanseatio £350, Victoria £250, National £350,