DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN BERESFORD-STREET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN BERESFORD-STREET.

THREE HOUSES DESTOYED. damage over jEiooo, A fire broke out this morning, ab half-past one o'clock, in a two-storied residence in Beresford-street, occupied by Mr. William Fanning, settler, who, with his wife and family, had only entered into occupation the previous . day, having removed from Grafton Road. The alarm was soon given by the Arabella, but the fire spread very rapidly, extending to the residence of Mr. J. W. Oxley, ship chandler, on the lower side, and to that of Mr. James E.elletb, carpenter, on the upper side. The Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Hughes, ana the Salvage Corps, under Captain Field, were soon on the scene, bub the fire had too great a hold on Mr. Fanning'a residence to save it; but the fire was prevented from spreading on either side past the. residences of Mr. Oxley and Mr. Kelletc, which are left badly gutted. The origin of the fire is unknown. As already said Mr. Fanning had only moved in the previous day, and his wife and two daughters and son had been busy putting their furniture and house in order. His daughters were awakened by a feeling of suffocation from the smoke, and aroused their brother, who was unable to reach the room of his parents for the smoke, and he got on the verandah and broke in their bedroom window, and gave the alarm. They have saved bub little of their furniture, which was insured in the North Queensland for £90. The house is owned by Mr. Jones, of Newton Road, but his insurance could nob bo ascertained. Mr. Oxley had his furniture insured for £70, bub was unable to remember the name of the office in which it was insured. He saved half his furniture. The house (twostoreyed) is said to be owned by Mr. John Ley don, auctioneer. Mr. Kellett got out part of his furniture, bub unfortunately he had no insurance. The building (two-storeyed) is said to be owned by Messrs. Baker Bros. The side and roof of the residence of Mr. Tucker (foreman to Hellaby Bros.) was somewhat damaged, but the furniture was not removed. All thab was taken away was an aviary. He is covered by a policy on his furniture for £140 in the Colonial. Mr. Harper is the owner of the building. The damaged occasioned by the fire will be over £1000.