Great Fire in Sydney.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8153, 31 March 1906, Page 5

Great Fire in Sydney.

"" - * Block of Warehouses Destroyed. Damage - £ 150,000. (By Electric Tolcgraph - Copyright). (Por Press Association.) Received March 31, 9.5;$ a.m. SYDNEY, Tlus Day. One of the fiercest fires experienced in Sydney occurred this morning, starting about 2 o'clock m the block of: warehouses extending from Clarence-street to Kent-street. Before 4 a.m. it had completely gutted several large business premises.

In the meantime several other buildings had become involved in destruction, and it looked as if the whole block would be swept out. The Berlin Piano Company and a large company of signwriters' premises were gutted. Tho Websdale Shoesmith Company of printers and Skinner's Luggage Agency caught fire, but the work of the brigades was now beginning to tell, and they managed to check the flames before serious damage was done to these premises. (Received March 31, at 1.0.12 a.m. SYDNEY. This day. The outbreak was discovered in the six-storey warehouse of Edwards, Dunlop and Coy., wholesale stationers, in Clarence-street and thence spread to the six-storey warehouse of .James Stedman and Coy., wholesale confectioners, extending at the rear into Kentstreet. Both premises were stocked with immense quantities of inflammable material and the flames travelled with lightning rapidity and intense heat. The surrounding buildings prevented the Brigades getting to close quarters. Their main efforts were directed to saving the Grand Central Hotel adjoining Stedman's, where great excitement prevailed amongst the large number 6f inmates, who made hurried exits into the street. The hotel was cleared by order of the authorities. One corner of the building caaght, but by strenuous efforts the Brigades succeeded in saving it after considerable damage had been done in some of the top storeys. Received March 31,10.21 a.m. SYDNEY, This Day. Burning debris was carried an immense distance, and set fire to roofs in the adjoining, streets. Detachments of firemen were detailed to extinguish these outbreaks before they got a fair hold.

Flames shot across Kent-street, and as there was danger there of a dwelling catching hre, the inmates sought shelter for themselves and their belongings in the streets. The danger was greatly increased by the'fall of Edwards' and Stedman's walls, which, in falling, demolished other buildings.

The fire is still burning, but is well in hand.

It is impossible to estimate the damage. A rough calculation places it at £150,000. The buildings involved are : Edwards, Dunlop and Co., James Stedman, the Berlin Piano Company, and the Legge Company. The fire completely gutted the Grand Central Hotel in the three top storeys. Fire and water has damaged Skinner's Luggage Agency badly. The Websdale Shoesmith Co.'s premises are slightly damaged by lire and water. Dickens' art furniture rooms and Cole Bros', printers and manufacturers, premises were demolished by falling walls. In York-street the roofs of two warehouses and an hotel are damaged by fire from falling debris. '