THE FIRE AT LYTT ELTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2723, 28 October 1870, Page 3

THE FIRE AT LYTT ELTON.

(Lijtlelton Times, October 2Gth.)

The room in which there can be no doubt that the fire originated, was part of a building known as "The Dive," which was separated from the Queen's Hotel by a right-of-way, some four or five feet wide. The front part of the building was occupied by a boot and shoe maker named Cathro, and the rear was used as a liquor and general store room for the Queen's. It. was in the latter that the conflagration originated, and in which, by reason of the purposes to which it was applied, there was no (ire lighted. Whether anyone had been in the room itself during the evening we failed to learn, but it was generally reported there had, and a rumour also prevailed to the effect that a kerosene lamp had exploded, but we learned nothing from persons connected with the Quean's that in any way substantiated these reports. When the alarm was first given, the ilarnes were only such that, with a very moderate supply of water, could have been extinguished by Captain M'Lellan and others who were in the billiard-room directly above. No buckets were, however, obtainable, and before any coulel be hunted up, the interior of the storeroom —as, from tho nature of its contents, may ha readily undersoocl—was completely enveloped in (lames. The oreaking-in of the door gave a most appalling proof of this, for those who had assembled to render aid were driven back by the immense body of flame which burst through the doorway, and which, easily crossing the right-of-way, at once attacked the wooden walls of the Queen's. The outermost, corner of these speedily succumbed to the devouring element, ami so terrific was the progress of the fire, and so rapid the pace at which the flames ran along the b i.-irds, mounted to the roof and burst into tho interior of the building, that in less than a quarter tif an hour from the first discovery of tho firo the hotel —a large two storey buildingl, with fully fifty feet frontage—was one mass of roaring (lame.

Amotigs the earliest expedients resorted to for the purpose of arresting tho progress of the flames was an nttumpt (<> form a lino of bucket men frmn tho well in London afreet to the Queen's, but before they could be marshalled it \v:i.s clear they would bo useless for saving any portion of the building. The hook mid ladder plant was also brought up into London street to remove gootls and render other assistance, but, for want oE organisation, tho men wore only partly successful, Tiotwifchstandiiig that they stuck to thoir poata until a siew burst ot llaiuea

; made them retire in such haste that they i left their plant in the middle of the street, : and it was ultimately a'l destroyed. The [ fire engine itself was never brought into action at this part of the town, and though it might not have done much good, yet we are at a loss to understand the reason for its neglect. Rumours were afloat to the effect that the hose had been so neglected that the greater- portion of it ■ was useless, and it would really seem that something of the kind was the case. During this time, the fire had been making terrific headway, and had now embraced one or two buildings in addition to the hotel, whilst the wind carried the (lames across the street in such a manner, and the heat was so intense, as to most seriously threaten the Shades Hotel, the I key, if we may so term it, to tho block of buildings referred to as on that side of London street opposite the Queen's. The imminent danger to the whole business part of the town if the Shades was once permitted to get alight was painfully apparent to all, and, under the circumstances, a most manful effort was made by the crowd to keep the building intact, but this was also of no avail. Several times were ignited parts of the building extinguished, but tho deficiency of water, and, what had t-een unpleasantly apparent from the first, a want of org misation, gradually told, and the fire asserted its victory by ultimately folding the building in its embrace, thus placing the whole of the threatened block at its mercy. Simultaneously with the efforts to protect "The Shades," exertions had been made to stop the progress of the fire on the upper (Queen's Hotel) side of London street, by pulling down one or two small buildings ; but here, for want of a leader, work was injudiciously commenced too near tho fire, and was for a long time useless. The sight presented to view, and the alarming prospect, had in the meantime become heartrending in the extreme, and the efforts at repression of (lames, or saving of property, which from the first had been very badly conducted, become most confused and useless. Both sides of the street were in fl imes, the main block was succumbing with fearful rapidity to the vast tongues of fire which were whirled and eddied along in immense bodies by the wind right across the block, and the extent of the danger seemed to paralyse the greater portion of the onlookers, whilst by far the larger proportion of the remainder were so intent on personal efforts to save—futile by reason of their divided nature —that but little attention was paid to the general good. Goods hurriedly moved from threatened buildings into the streets were often burnt where they lay for want of combined action to move them, whilst in many instances, though merchants' stores were known to bo full of spirits, no effort was made to move such inflammable goods. Several gentlemen, including Messrs Webb, Gibson, Roper, and officers of crafts in the hirlioi.r, repea'edly made efforts to enforce some little system, > ufc it was evident that a recognised head was wanting to direct the wholv!, and whilst commending the gentlemen named above for their endeavours to supply the deficiency, we must not omit to say that others who should have be°n amongst the very foremost to direct matters, and who were vested with the requisite authority, seemed utterly incapable to cope with the terrible difficulties of the position. After the main block caught fire, the demoralisation of the crowd increased. The result was, that although a fair amount of moveable property was saved and carried away to the reclaimed land, into the gullies, or to the streets to the windward of the fire, nor half the value was rescued that might have been if the scattered efforts had been systematically directed. After having got well hold of the Shades corner, the flames worked down the London street and Oxford street faces of the block, the vast body of fire each moment increasing and making a picture of awful grandeur. About the middle of the London street face of the block stood i Mr E. Walker's shop, a fine stone building with slate roof, which it was hoped i would arrest the progress of the flames in that direction. Mr Walker himself, though uninsured, considered his position so safe that he would not move any por- i tion of hia stock. Sad to sta c, however, he had most serious cause to regret this assurance. The mighty power of fire was not to be so easily judged and set at nought, for the flames gradually closed round the store, and the heat from the opposite side of Londonstreet (the Queen's Hotel face) became so intense that the front windows ignited no less than four times, each time, notwithstanding Mr Walker's desperate efforts, with a more serious blaze, until finding that he was hemmed in on three sides by the flames, and that his means for protecting the front of his building were each moment becoming more inadequate to the requirements of the occasion, he left the building and stock, in all worth over L4OOO, to their fate. In less than ten minutes the whole of the interior of tho building was one mass of fire, and shortly afterwards the llarnes had sucked into their vortex all i the buildings on the London and Oxford street faces of the block. Several of those in Canterbury street were also alight, but on the Queen's Hotel face of London street the progress of the fire had, after : several unavailing off >rts, been arrested, though not before 400 feet or threefourths of the frontage was gone. The three or four shops left standing were I still, however, in serious danger f■om the intense heat, as also the Albion ! Hotel and other buildings on the same side of London street, but in the next : block. The shops on that side of Can- 1 terhury street, opposite the main block, ] and between London street and Nor- i wich quay, were also similarly situated. 1 The occupiers strained every clibrt to i keep their premises free fr,om the eonta- 1 gion, by suspending wet, blankets and ; using water copiously, but though success i was, contrary to expectation, achieved in London street, those at the upper end of i Canterbury street —shops occupied by Mr i Judge and Mr Pratt—succumbed. .Pee- 1 vious to the latter occurring, the fire i from the Norwich Quay side of the main ( block had attacked tho Pwat-ortiee, Tele- I graph-office, and Custom Mouse, in a ; line with the wind on the opposite : side of the road. Tins, in a direct < line, was nearly live hundred fet-t away 1 from the Queen's Hotel. Being in elo.se i contiguity to the harbour, tho lir*i ] engine was hero brought into play, < and though all the buildings named s were more or less on fire, they wore, by i the strenuous exertions of Mes.-inj !>.ilt, ] \V. Allwright, and 11. AHwri-ht, fv,ved i from total destruction, whilst all papers ' having previously been removed to the i Municipal Council office —to windward of : the lire —tho loss was not viry material. Ellbrts had been continuously made, from soon after the commencement of the lire, to transmit a message io the Christehurch ollice, but as no one was in al tendance ' at the la'tor, all attempts failed until, just as the (lames compelled the removal of tho instruments, communication was opened up, and a very hurried report of tho disaster sent through, lit was now paafc eleven o'clock, and a morn deplorable

state of affairs; has rarely been «ccii 1 han the town presented. Upwards of a thousand feet of shop front««c-s was at tho mercy of the insatiable element, arid yet only one hour and a half had elapsed from tho first alarm being given. Tin; appalling eil'.-ct of this was only iMjii.-illed by the heartrending sight of heaps of furniture piled ruthlessly up in out-of ihe-way places, and tho wretched appearance of the owners, who were sitting near in deep dejection, grief, and terror. The scene was, indeed, one that once witnessed can never be forgotten. Meantime, the residents of Christehurch had been considerably alarmed by the lurid glare visible p^bove the Port hills, in the direction of the town ; but m-iny thought the illumination was caused by a bush fire, of which so many have at times been observed on the Peninsula. Some were satisfied with this explanation of the matter, and did not trouble themselves further ; but others would not be satisfied, and ultimately these induced one of the telegraph clerks to go to the ollice and send a message of enquiry through. For some ten minutes no answer wag received ; many of tho crowd who had collected around the telegraph office dispersed, and Mr Mason, the telegraph clerk, was also a 1 out to give the matter up, when he received a hurried message, intimating that the town was on fire, and that, as the office was in flames, the telegraph apparatus was being removed. His Worship the Mayor and Mr Superintendent Harris were amongst those awaiting the result of the enquiry, and immediately <n receiving this information, caused the fire-bell to bo rung. The members of the Fire Brigade, having been under official inspection that evening, mustered rapidly at the central station, and in a few minutes all was busy activity to get away to the scene of the fire. The steam fire engine, and the hook and ladder apparatus, were taken out and respectively drawn down to the station behind the hansom cabs of John M'Vicar and Andrew M'Taggart. The fire-bell having in the meantime thorough'y aroused the city, the street became thronged, and a general rush was made for the station. Arrived there, a special train was at once put under weigh, and a messenger despatched to see that the tunnel was clear. The cool, collected despatch exhibited in these proceedings reflected infinite credit on all concerned, as may readily he understood from the fact that, although the alarm-- Kell was not rung in Christehurch until 23 minutes past 11, th« %c plant had been conveyed to the | station, placed on trucks, and the train started on its journey by 10 minutes past 12 o'c ock. These remarks apply to the railway officials as well as to the members , of the Fire Brigade, more especially as the immense crush of would-bo passengers at ; the station must have considerably impeded their movements. The excitement ■ I was exceedingly great, and a rush was made for the carriages when the "special" drew up, but very few beymd the Fire i Brigade, members of the City Council, the Police, and representatives of the Press, were allowed to go by the train. The journey to Port was performed in good time, and great as the visitors, with a due consideration of relative circumstances, expec ed the damage to be, the result far exceeded the most gloomy anticipations. Oil emerging from the tunnel, the whole of the large block of buildings already referred to was found to be either in ashes or in flames, whilst the fire hud just communicated from the north-west corner of the main block to the north cast corner of the smaller block of buildings to 'he westward of it, also from the Norwich Qiay face of the main block to Messrs lieywood and Co.'s store on the opposite side of the roadway. A glance showed at once that it would be best to leave the latter building to its fate, and to concentrate all efforts upon the block westward of the main block, in which were included Mr Hawkins's large stores, the Mitre Hotel, the E;.sing Sun Hotel, and a large number of shops. This was apparent, firstly, because the two points were such great distance apart; secondly, because Messrs Heywood's store was erected against a massive stone building belonging to Messrs Hargreaves and Cj. , with no inflammable building in dangerous proximity ; and lastly, because, whilst one branch on the Mitre Hotel block would do little or no good, the two branches would in all probability save a considerable amount of property. To fully understand the position of matters at this moment, we may state that in the main block nearly all the walls had fallen in, and the fire could simply therefore be allowed to burn itself out, a proceeding not attended with further danger except in the event of a very heavy wind arising. All danger was therefore now confined to the Mitre Hotel block, which, as we have said, had caught fire at the north east corner, in a shop occupied by Mr Pratt, draper, from which most of the stock had been removed. liight and left of this shop a large number of buildings facing on Canterbury and London streets were closely grouped together, whilst on the Norwich Qiay face were the Mitre Hotel, Mr 11. Hawkins's extensive stores, and Dr Campbell's premises, the remaining westward face of the block btung bounded by a gully which would effectually arrest the fire in that direction. In rear of the Mitre Hotel, which is a large two-storey wooden t-uilding, tho outbuildings and st'ibles reached back towards the point on tire, and in rear of Mr Hawkins's stores, which are covered ; with zinc, was a little open ground, ; thus in a manner forming a break in the ; block. The engine having been disembarked, ; amidst the welcoming cheers of the Lytteltonians, and placed in position on tho j railway jetty, two branches were stationed in this break, and then commenced the j battle between the two m^st destructive | elements — fire and water. A. fresh | breeze was blowing at the time, | and the windward (London street) part of j tho block being in full (limes before water was turned on, the situation of the men was trying iv the extreme. The immense body of flame was carried overhead by the wind until sometimes it formcl almost an arch, and seemed to defy all efforts at subjugation. This state of affairs continued for a considerable time, and the manner in which the branchmen ■ stood to their post was a matter of wonder and admira ion to those at a distance, | but still more so to those who, c.irtoua to ■ test the temperature, now and then approached. Oh previous occasions in Christehurch we have had occasion to j speak in high commendation of tho pluck I of the men under similar circumstances, j bit this was the severest test we have I ever seen applied to thorn. A a lance at the blackened and blistered walls and charred roof of the Mitre Hotel, considerably in advance of which tho men stood, is the heatproof of tho " baking they must have undergone, arid let tut add that their services were not untvog- j nisied by the local residents. Their I determined endurance of the boat, j the ready manner in which Mr j Harris got them to work wi'hout con- i fusion, the judicious conduct of that officer iv taking tho fire, and the high degree of efficiency generally displayed, were the theme of universal rouiiu-k.

i Immeiiso sh<;\vt:i\s of sparks full nil the i time upon the M;trn ;md other leeward buildings, and so irrent was the d;injir I that men with buckets f>f wa'er «'cc kept ', U'liistaiiiiy patrolling "i" front of the : w:ireliou.':c doors and around the buildings ijenoruily on Mr Hawkins's prc-miaos. Whilst moasr.roa were bcinir carried out ! a! the Norwich i^iay end of the block, the other cml liad buoomo one body of r.-ujiny 1 fire, several attempts to cut it oJl' by pulling down a building having proved ineffectual. The heat thrown on to he buildings on the opposite side of London street—the Albion Hotel and several stores—was unbearable to on-loui;ers, and, notwithstanding the blankets and continuous streams of water, it was astonishing how an extension of the conflagration was prevented in that direction. Such was, however, most fortunately accomplished. At ten minutes past one o'clock, Messrs Heywood's store was in full blnsM, hut being practically alone, it was allowed to burn itself our. At 25 minutes to two o'clock, or after the stea.n fire-engine had been at work a'lout an hour and a-half, the fire was under con'rol in thu voar of the Mitre, which, together with Hawkins's store and Dc Catnp'eli's premises, the Brigade may thus be said to have at least saved, without saying anything of other buildings that must inevitably have caughfc.fi 6. The result gave rise to many regrets' that the Brigade did not arrive sooner, for, by the splendid manner in which it worked, there could be no doubt that many thousands of pounds would thereby have been saved. Questions ns to the reason why a messenger was not sjnt over to Christchurch were not wanting, but no one appi ared to know. The townspeople seemed to have been overpowered by the vastneas of the calamity, and incapable of proper action. The power displayed by the engine astonished even those who were fully acquainted with it. Besides having to raise water from 20 to 23 feet, the engine had to force it fully 230 yards, and that up a rise of nearly 80 feet. It was worked up to a maximum pressure of 110, and a more complete or severe test of its capabilities than these particulars could scarcely be imagined. At seven minutes past two o'clock all further danger from the fire was removed, and from that time the engine only played t> extinguish the smouldering embers and piles of men handise which hid been collected from the various stores. Of the latter, th^re were a great many, principally consisting of corn, flax, woolpacks, &o. As one instance, we may state that .Mr Curtis (Taylor and Co.) had over 100 tons of 11 ix in one building, and a pile of about 2000 bags of corn in what was formerly Dalge y's store was also conspicuous. It should not be omitted that, in the same train which conveyed the Fire Brigade and apparatus from (Jhristchurch, hi 3 Worship tlie Mayor, several City Councillors, a number of 'he Fire Police under Captain Mitchell, a body of the j Regular l'olice under Inspector Ponder, and some Volunteers, arrived in Lyitelt.>n, and were all mire or less usvful, every one doing whatever lay in his power to render assistance. The Lyttelton Artillery Volunteers were also called out to protect property, though somewhat late, and as an evidence that some i;ood was on the whole accomplished we may mention that no less than six persons were arrested for abstracting goods from the piles placed in the streets. We shouid alao state that a large number of Christchurch citizans who were not allowed to proceed by the special train walked over the hill, and, though the < fatigue was not a trifle, we have the assurance of all that, once the view from the crest of the bridle-path was obtained, the exertion was more than repaid. The sight from this point was indeed of a rare and exceptionnbly grand character. The amphithea're of hills lighted up with lurid intensity by some acres of raging conflagration, the reflection upon the water forming the harbour, the weird-like assemblage of persons moving to and fro in the very midst, as it were, of the fire, and lastly the stillness of the nL'ht, combined to form a picture as magnificent in effect as it. was melancholy to contemplate. The fire engine continued to play upon the debris in detail, thus to render it safe to leave, and as the day dawned the heartrending circumstances of the disaster were unfolded to view with threefold effect. On all sides were piles of furniture and merchandise; half-clad people promenaded the streets in sorrowful observation of localities so familiar, yet so strange in the sudden desolation ; dozens of chimneys stood out in bold naked relief against the sky, like so many mounments of departed life ; and, sad to say, drunkenness and rioting formed a prominent feature of the mournful scene. By the acive energy of Messrs Webb. Gibson, Richardson, and Dr. Donald, the Colonists' Hall, the Orphanage, the Gaol, and other public buildings, were thrown open to the homeless population, and all the butchers' and bakers' shops buing destroyed, his Worship the Mayor j and City Councillors of Christchurch j thoughtfully sent over by the lirat" train j yesterday, 40 sheep, 1 bullock, and 140 loaves of bread. The Provincial Government also, at a later period, sent a quantity of blankets and 100 loaves of bread. To give something like an idea of the area of the buildings destroyed, we may say that the frontages alone would amount, in running measurement, to about 2838 feet. The following is a detailed list of the damage, so far as we j have been abe to ascertain :— j (^-aceu's Hotel —Estimated !os', L.'SOOO :j ' insured fi.-r LIOUU in the Now Z al.nvf. Cathro — Estimated 1o:js, L'2o ; uninsured. Nathan—Estimated io.-s, L'.uO ; uniusutvl. Hunter—Estimated loss, I.SOU ; unir-sured. Webb —Estim .ted loss, I,HM ; uninsured. Irvine—Estimated loss, Lir'l) ; uniasu;-o \. Fisher —bis. invited loss, Lo'.it) ; uninsured. Bart—Estimated loss, LIUOO ; injured 'or L~>()0 ia the New Z&ilami, anl L'AIU iv thi London, Liverpool, and frio'o. Wade—Kttimated li.aa, I/ilKt ; iiuuuvU. /or LIOD in the New Zealand. Culliford—Estim».tC!"l loss, LtZrl) ; jiisurcd for LIOO in the Now Zor,l.iud. Ivo.-.so—Estimated losd. I.K'Oi); insured for LjGOO iv the Australian Alh:-.nco. Merson— Estimatod 10.-s, LltlOO ; insured for LIOOU ia the Now Z :d,nii. Fyfe—KdUtntvied loss, 1..-ii)i) ; insur.:.i for I LU..111 in the London, Lhvruo >1 and Globe. Itopor Kulimsited Im3---,*LHOi) ; mi;i;snr. d. Dranslield—Estimated loss, Llot) ; uninsured. Shades Hotel—Esiiian.fced los*, L:J.h);J ; uniiipured. (Jhlford's Cottage—Estimate:! loss, 1,200 ; uninsured. I'kcaithley—Estimated loss, Ll/iOlt , uninsured. Hank of New Z -nl.mil —K.i.mak'd io-s, LOW) ; insured in Hi-! Nua- 'A ilm.i i<>r Lf>il(>. Two Empty CoU'igus — Kafcunated leas, LX) ; uuiusurcd. Uii.iker -lijtinvUel Ws. LSOi) ; ir.smvd i for Ll;-:il) i:i fcbo Lorid'jii. Livoi ';;«-> >1, aud i Ulobe,. [ A ypM —Kalini.itei !<>s.s, L!<!:) ; it.:siir*.'<l I for 1,-i.H) iv tiie I.vii'.Uiii, L; viTpoo , and ({lobe. .Ij.lisdon—Edtimatcil Ins:-:, Llsi)t) ; uninsured. Walker—Estimated loss, 1A'M)() • uninsured*