FIRE IN GREY-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5336, 23 December 1878, Page 2

FIRE IN GREY-STREET.

An alarm of firo was sounded at a quarter to fire o'clock yesterday morning, the source of which could not be readily ascertained by the alarmed residents of the city and suburbs. It was found, however, to hare originated in Grey-street, in the premises occupied by Mr. Foss, butcher, a short distance above the Market Hotel. There is a small asphalted yard at the rear of the premises, in the centre of which stood a large empty barrel on a quantity of sawdust, which was first observed to be on fire, and clie flames from it had risen about six feet and communicated with the weatherboards of the house. A man who was passing observed the fire, and rang the alarm. This aroused Mr. Foss, wha, observing the danger, secured an advantageous position on a landing, and a plentiful supply of water being available, the fire was quickly extinguished. Mr. Hughes and the City Firo Brigade, the police, and others were speedily in attendance. As it is, the damage is very trifling, but had the fire been allowed to take firm hold of the building, it would no doubt have been destroyed. Mr. Fosa is uninsured. It is supposed that the origin of the fire was in this wise : On the previous night one of the employees was carrying lighted embers past the barrel to light a fresh fire. One of the cinders may have dropped contiguous to the barrel, and after smouldering through the night caused the barrel to ignite.