FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 761, 1 October 1886, Page 11

FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, September 23

A fire broke out to-night in the shop of J. Silversters, basket maker, in Colombu-street. The shop was completely destroyed, with the Btock. The adjoining shops of G. Fletcher, tailor, and Long vet, hairdresser, were also destroyed, and very little stock saved. The offices of Garrick and Cowlishaw, solicitors, had a very--: narrow escape and were only saved by great exertions. All the buildings are of wood, and the property of the estate of the late Isaac Luck. They are all insured in the Norwich Union, and probably in other offices. The amount is not known. Fletcher’s stock was insured for £2OOO in tbe South British, Silvester’d for £250, and Longvet’s stock uninsured.

FURTHER DETAILS. Christchurch, September 24.

The fire in Colombo-street last night completely burned three shops—those of Fletcher (tailor), Silvester (basketmaker), and Longuet (hairdresser) —and seriously damaged the roof of Garrick and Cowlishaw’s, solicitors, office. It began in Silvester’d kitchen about 10.15 a.m., being apparently caused by coals falling from fire left burning in the grate. Only one steam-engine was available, the others being laid up for repairs. Shortly before midnight the fire seemed under control, but at 10 minutes past 12 it broke out afresh in Garrick and Oowlishaw’s roof, and was not en tirely subdued till 2.30 a.m. All the valuable documents in the office were preserved. Of Fletcher’s stock, worth about £SOOO, but £7OO worth was saved. Silvester’s stock and furniture was mostly destroyed. Of Longuet’s stock and fittings, which were uninsured, a large portion was saved. The telegraph line passed close to the burning buildings. The Northern telegraph wires and several telephone wires were interrupted, but are now restored. The insurances on Garrick and Cowlishaw’a buildings are £IOOO in the Norwich Union, and on the stock and furniture £IOOO in the New Zealand. Fletcher’s building was insured for £6OO in the NiW Zealand, and the stock for £2OOO in the South British, £IOOO of which is reinsured. Silvester’s building has £IOO in the Norwich Union, and the stock and furniture £2OO in the Equitable, and £250 in the Colonial. Longuet’s building—£3oo in the New Zealand. The stock of tweeds in Fletcher’s building, belonging to W. G. Kemp, was destroyed. It was insured for £2OO in the United.

Another fire occurred here to-night, but the damage was not so serious as in the other instance. An old wooden building, part of which waß used as stab’es by Mr T. W. Delaman, and part as a blacksmith s shop by Messrs Harper and White, was destroyed. The fire originated in the stables, but bow is not known. The building was situated in the same block as those burnt down the previous night. It belonged to Captain Steven Fisher, and was insured in the National Office for £2OO.