DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN VICTORIA-STREET WEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7003, 28 April 1884, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN VIC-TORIA-STREET WEST.

THESE HOUSES DESTROYED AND . FIVE DAMAGED. LOSS ABOUT £3000. Shoxtly after one o'clock this morning a serious fire broke out in a block of buildings in Victoria-streot West, below the Nelsonatreet corner on the south side. The fire originated in a two-storey shop tenanted by Mr. .Gadd, fruiterer, and ojrned by Mrs.' Wallace, Hepburn-Btreet. It appears to have broken out in the bottom storey, and the inmates who were aaleep_-up-atairs were aroused by the flunea and smoke. They succeeded in escaping with considerable difficulty, and immediately gaTe the alarm, but before, the brigade bell rang, the flames were shooting high above the roof of the burning btrildiog, so that the fire had a firm hold of the block before the brigade (under Superintendent Hughes) and the Salvage Corps (under Captain Field) arrived. It was at first feared, from the fierceness with which the fire raged, that the - whole block would go right up to the corner of • Kelson - street, the corner shop being occupied by Mr. Soutt, draper. This, however, was fortunately not the case. Three leads were got out, one playing on the eastern side for the purpose of preventing the fire spreading in that direction, and the other two on the westward. At first the water appeared to have little effect on the fire, but ultimately the brigade succeeded in stopping its extension at Slaney's. Meanwhile the occupants on the western side of the block, viz., Mr. ...Carr, bootmaker, Mrs. Kirkman, milliner, ,Richardson Brothers, bicyclists, and Johnson, ironmonger, proceeded to clear out their personal effects and stock. Notwithstanding the efforts of the Brigade, the pr.ecniaeß of Gadd, Carr, and Kirkman were burned to the ground. After a sharp straggle they' succeeded in arresting the fiames at Biohardson and. Johnson's, although the roof and back were badly damaged. Nothing is known as to how the fire originated. Mr. Gadd can throw no light upon the matter. Mrs. Kirkman, whose huaband is unwell, was downstairs about half-past twelve, and detected no smell of fire.

Gadd's house, as stated above, was owned by Mrs.' Wallace, and insured in the Northern £300. The stook and furniture were insured for £200 in the Sooth British. The premises occupied by Carr, Kirkman, Richardson, and Johnson were owned by Ml* Ball, of Mount Eden, and his insurance could not be ascertained. Mr. Carr, bootmaker, was insured a> follows :—Furnitnre, £100, stook and fittings £100, both in the New Zealand. Mrs. Kirkman had her furniture and ntock insured for £200 in the Norwich Union. Biohardson Brothers had their furniture insured for £120 in the Standard, and their stook for £200 in the same office. Johnson was not insured. He had been in treaty with one of the insuranoe offioes, but the agent not having inspected the premises the matter was not completed. On the eastern side, tha premises occupied by Mr. Slaney, jeweller, and Mr. Sumner, tobacconist, are owned by Mr. ilobert Bartley, of the Auckland Timber Company. The premises are partly damaged. Mr. Bartley is insured in the Northern for £350, Mr. Slaney'a policy had run out at the beginning of the month and had not been renewed, and he is a severe loser in consequence, his stock being considerably damaged. Mr. Sumner was also uninsured, and his stock is also damaged. large quantity of property was saved by the Salvage Corps and others, including the * aval Artillery. The Mayor was amongst the first on the scene, and assisted in removing property. The police were on the ground, and assisted in protecting the property saved by the Salvage Corps, and in maintaining order. , Detectives Xwohoy and Hughes were also present.