GREAT FIRE IN DEE-STREET, INVEIICARGILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 350, 26 December 1864, Page 5

GREAT FIRE IN DEE-STREET, INVEIICARGILL.

DESTRUCTION OF £7000 OF PROPERTY. [From tho Southland Times, Doc. 9.] It is with deep regret that wo have to chronicle another extensive fire in Invercargill. At about halfpast four this morning tho inhabitants of tho town were alarmed by the ringing of tho large bell belonging to Mr. Binney, the auctioneer. The flames were first observed issuing from the premises in the occupation of Sir. L. Myers, tobacconist, in the upper storey of which wore tho oflices of the Liverpool and London Fire and Life Insuranco Company. Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Roebuck's Empire Hotel was a'tso observed to be on liro, and although tho morning was very calm, it was apparent that nothing eould prevent tho destruction of every building between it and the south end of the block. The lately-formed Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, and a detachment of police under Mr. Commissioner Wcldon. Great foars were entertained that ail the inmates of tho various houses would not succeed in making their escape, for notwithstanding the almost total absence of wind, the fire spread with wonderful rapidity. Wo are glad tobeablo to state that this last calamity was a verted, though some escaped with barely clothes sufficient to cover them. A very large crowd collected in a lew minutes, and tho most strenuous exertions were made to save the stocks and the furniture to the south of Myers.' From tho Empire Hotel, and from Mr. Myers', the tobacconist, nothing was saved. The next building which caught was the boot store belonging to Mr. O'Hara, a small quantity of tiio stock having been previously got out. The adjoining building was tho fciouthern Cross Hotel, kept by Mr. T. Wright. Tho fixtures in the bar, a part of the stock, and of the bedding and furniture were saved, but before the whole could be removed, this fine hotel was enveloped in dense clouds of black smoke, which ere long burst into a magnificent sheet of Uame. The Southern Cross Hotel was tho corner building, but the liro attacked tho building to the right, in Don-street, in which W. Chandler carried on the business of boot-maker. A considerable stock was on tho premises, a large portion of it was, however, destroyed. From Chandler's to the premises of Mr. If. T. Ross, wino and spirit merchant, the fire spread with lightning speed. Mr. Rosb succeeded in rescuing a great portion of his stock. Last of all, the store of Mr. H. E. Osborne, general dealer, was destroyed. At this point a gap occurred, aud a line of buckets having been established anil worked by a large number of willing hands, tho side of tho next house, in the occupation of Mr. Bruce, working jeweller, was kept sulliciunrly wet and cool to preserve il intact. At the time wlu-n this mass of buildings was all on fire the spectacle presented was ono of surpassing grandeur. Far above the highest houses the volumes of dense black sinoke rolled upwards intermingling with vast jets of lurid ttame, changing as it obtained complete mastery over the iullammable materials which fed it, to the most dazzling brightness, whilst the crash of falling timber and breaking glass, and the hoarse voices of the men vainly endeavouring to stay tho progress of the conflagration added to the horror of the picture. Although Dee-street is two chains wide the heat on the opposite sida was intensOi and tho most strenuous

exertions -were necessary to savo tlio Prince of Wales Hotel, directly lacing the burning block. A fair supply of water was at hand, and by covering the front of the building with wet blankets, it remained unscathed, tho wliito steam rising in clouds above the roof. From the timo that the first alarm was given, until tho danger was completely ovorcomc, scarce three-quarters of an hour elapsed. Wo nover witnessed u firo whero tbcro was less confusion, or more alacrity on tlio part of tpcctatorß to render hearty assistance. Every praise is duo to tho newlyformed Firo Brigade. Both officers and men worked splendidly, and gave evidence that with proper appliances at hand their efficiency could not bo surpassed. Wo particularly noticed Captain M'Culloch and Mr. Reese, who directed the movements of a large body of men. Most unfoi Innately the lire engine was undergoing repairs, and was therefore not brought on tlio ground. Tho police, under Mr. Commissioner cldon, arc also entitled to tho wannest thanks of tho community for their almost superhuman exertions in quelling a iiro which on account of tho locality, threatened to be tho most serious we havo vet had to record. Sergeant Chapman was particularly active. Amongst private individuals present, who rendered the most valuablo assistance, wo may mention tho names of Dr. Mcnzies, and X. N. Watt, Ksq., K.M., ol Campbell town. Had a breeze sprung up nothing short of a miracle could havo saved the larger half of tho business portion of Invercargill. AVc aro unable to give full particulars as to the loss sustained, but the following statement approximates to tlio amount of insuranco on tho various buildings and stocks :— W. Roebuck, Empire Hotel, £300. L. Myers, tobacconist, &c., &900. Mr. O'Hara, boot store, loss not known. T. "Wright, Southern Cross Hotel, £650 Mr. Chandler, boot-maker, £200. H. T. Ross, wine and spirit merchant, £1000. A rough estiinato of tlio total loss is about £7000. Tho following is a statement of the Ineuiancc cflectcd in the dillerent olliccß which it will bo seen amount in tlio aggregate to £4830. On Premises. Goods. Offices. JEmpiro - - £250 £150 Australasian. Osborno - - 80 — New Zealand. Osborno - - — 200 Liver. & Lou. Southern Cross - 500 — Otago. Southern Cross • — 250 Victoria. O'Hara - - 300 500 Liver. & Lon. O'Hara - - — 500 North British. Myers - - 400 — Northern. Myers - - — 500 Liver. & Lon. Ross, H. T. - 100 400 Otago. Ross, H. T. - — 500 Royal. Chandler - - — 200 Liver. & Lon. £1630 £3200 1630 £4830 Insuranco offices' losses, Boparatcly :— Actual Loss. Australasia - - £400 £400 New Zealand - - 80 80 Victoria - - 250 200 North British - - 500 450 Northern - - 400 400 Royal ... 500 500 Lon. & Liver. - - 1700 1500 Otago - 1000 800 The inquest upon the fire will bo held by tho coroner tin's morning at Colyers's Princess Hotel, and will be opened at eleven o'clock.