GREAT WELLINGTON FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 8

GREAT WELLINGTON FIRE.

CITY BUSINESS BLOCK.

HALF ALREADY BURNED.

FRUIT MARKETS SUFFER.

LACK OF WATER PRESSURE.

LONG FIGHT BY BRIGADE.

[BY TELEGTIAPIf. —T'HESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Morning. One of tho most serious fires in the history of Wellington broke out about ten o'clock last night in the city block bounded by Courtcnay Place, Blair Street, Wakefield Street, and Allen Street. It seems that few premises in tho block will escape. Most of the premises are shops and warehouses, but tho most important buildings are largo fruit and vegetable markets. The brigade at first made little or no impression on tho great fire, which appeared to have a firm hold when the alarm was given. The following premises had been destroyed at 1.15 a.m.: — Thompson Brothers, fruit, provision and general merchants. I.aery, Beveridgo and Co., fruit market. Tcagle, Smith and Sons, Limited, motor replacement service. Griffen, Savidgo and Co., fruit merchants. W. Burrell and Co. New Zealand Platers, Limited. The firo started in tho fruit market of Thompson Brothers, Limited, and spread with amazing rapidity. The complete block, bounded by Courtcnay Place, Blair Street, Allen Street and Wakefield Street is approximately 100 yards square. Most of tho buildings are brick. The brigade was seriously hampered by low water pressure. About midnight tho fire seemed to bo burning itself out, but within a few minutes it had ourst out again in still greater volume. At 1.15 tho warehouso of Browne Brothers and Geddes, Limited, was burning. The brigade was making strenuous efforts to save the offices and wino and spirits store of Laery, Beveridgo and Company. Their work appeared to be meeting with somo success. At 1.30 half the complete block had been totally destroyed, but thcro was considered a good chance of saving a good j ortion of tho remainder. DAMAGE TOTALS £150,000. ONE HALF OF BLOCK SAVED. [by tki.egrArn. —own cohrespoxpent.] "WELLINGTON, Tuesday Horning. At 2 o'clock tho firo was definitely under control and one half of tho block was considered t-o be. safe. The damage, at a conservative estimate, amounts to £150.000. A squad of bluejackets from H.M.S. Dunedin helped to control the traffic.