DESTRUCTIVE FIRR IN UPPER SYMONDS-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6259, 8 December 1881, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRR IN UPPER SYMONDS-STREET.

SEVERAL HOUSES DESTROY ED. BkTVCEF.s- 3 and 4 o'clock this morning the gre-bells rang out an alarm. On looking out it was seen that a strong tongue of tlame „-,is shooting upwards from the upper part of Symowls-street. It proved to be the premises of Mr. Gilmour, draper. The shop has reoeut'y had a brick front added t-o it. Between this shop, and that until recently occupied by Messrs. Robertson Brothers, w a.s an old shed attached to the wooden awellirg house at the rear of the brick shop •; Q front. In this shed the tire appears to have first been discovered. The door was locked, and it iff a mystery how it could have originated. The £re communicated with the main building, ami in a short time the tire had spread to the shop, when the inflammable goods spread the lire rapidly. From the shop to the dwelling-house of Mr. Lincoln, on the south ti.ia of Mr. Gilmour'« shop, the lire spread, and also north ward, to the shop of Messrs. ; Kobertsou Brothers, sold a few weeks ago to Mr. Tyre. The three buildings were extensively on fire when the Tire Brigade came on the scene.

Mr. Gilmour and family were gut out, but very little w.is saved from the shop. MiLincoln's furniture was wholly, or almost so. taved bv rernov .1. Mr. Robertson. who slept :.bovo tlie shop disposed of to Mr. Tyre, was difficult to awaken, but was got out l-Afely. and a large .|U.intity of Mr. Tyre's •■wry stock. At the time we write, the rlr" is Vagi' l .- fiercely and the brigade actively at work! but the pressure of water at this huh elevation is not great, and Mr. Hughes -ih' !■':» '■'•'*s work at a disadvantage. It is*proha'-le :h.»t it will be confined to these »v>, ; ' The total loss must amount ! *o'-o:uc to "100. I" tiie limited ~\,.c f;: ::;.ising inquiries. we wore unable to what insuianees were upon the so'.'t r.d stocks and buddings. The whole of vie buildings were oAiled by the Messrs. Kch-rwon.