AHURIRI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 31, 12 April 1862, Page 5

AHURIRI.

[Prom the Sawlce's Bay Times, April 3.] GREAT IIRE. We regrert to have to announce that Napier has been this morning visited by a most devastating fire, which, in the short space of two hours, destroyed property to the value of several thousand pounds. It began in the premises occupied by Mr. Aaronson, watchmaker, situated on the west side of Hastingsstreet, and soon extended to the adjacent buildings. The alarm was given at five minutes before three o'clock ; a light breeze was blowing from the north-east, and the fire soon spread over the premises of Mr. Williams and Mr. Boylan, laying immediately south of Mr. Aaronson's, and to Mr. Ferrers', the Golden Fleece Hotel on the north ; Messrs. Barraud and Bridge's (chemist's shop), followed Mr. Boylan's, and the public school shared the same fate. About four o'clock the fire was at its height, belching forth a furious stream of sparks, and endangering the buildings on which they showered. By five o'clock, all the buildings named (from Ferrers' s to the school-house) were completely destroyed, and there was no immediate danger of any further extension of the fire. The damage done probably amounts to £7,000, of which about half is covered by insurance. The following estimate of the losses sustained has been furnished us, but we need not remark that it can only be considered an approximation :—: — Mr. Ferrers, Golden Fleece Hotel, £3,000, insured for £1,000 in the Liverpool and London Company. Mr. Aaronson, watchmaker, £1,200, insured for £800 in ditto. Mr. Williams, painter, £300, insured for £100 in the New Zealand Company. Mr. Boylan, ironmonger, £1,800, insured for £1,000 in the Northern Insurance Company. Mesßrs. Barraud and Bridge, chemists, £400, insured for £-100, in the Liverpool and London Company. School-house (very old building) £150. So fierce at one time was the flame, that Mr. Howse's property, opposite the burning mass, was only saved by the protection of wet blankets, and these were considerably scorched. Nearly all the glass in these premises was broken by the heat. Messrs. Ford and M'Hardy had also recourse to wet blankets, which probably saved their building. Near to this were Mr. Thompson's Restaurant, and next again the Times office, and Mr. Danvers' Auction Mart, all of which were in danger. Fortunately, the wind was in a direction that exposed no building beyond the burning block, excepting Captain Newman's house, perhaps fifty yards away, and the Herald Office, still further off. At the hour of our going to press, the fire was still smouldering, although no fears are entertained of the safety of the neighbouring buildings. Several spectral chimneys only now denote the site of the fine block of buildings existing yesterday. Every assistance was rendered by those the alarm had assembled, and some portable property was saved; but any attempt to save burning buildings would have been like stemming the flowing tide. An inquest takes place at half-past ten to inquire into the origin of the fire, the greatest that has yet been seen in Napier.