EXTENSIVE FIRE IN SYDNEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 715, 12 August 1865, Page 18

EXTENSIVE FIRE IN SYDNEY.

About half -past eight o'clock last night {20th July), a fire, which pioved most disastrous in its conseqvu'iKC*, broke out in the prenrses of Mcs-rs Juha Fraser and €0., at the corner of York and Barrack streets. The premise's in question are extensive three-story wholesale warehouses, and consisted of two buildings divided by a party wall. Messrs Fraser and Co.'s business was one of the most extensive in Sydney, and the premises were full of goods of all descriptions, some of them of a very inflammable kind. The lire was first •observed in the top floor of the northernmost of the houses, and in a few minutes had attained such a hold of the mass of goods in the store that any chance- of getting it under was wholly out of the question. Several fire engines were quickly on tlie spot, but at that time the flames had burst out through the windows, j and were spreading so rapidly to other parts of the premises that any attempt to check , their progress within the building was utterty j hopeless. The premises on the north, | occupied by Messrs Berens, Levi, and Seligmann, wholesale importers of jewellery, were in the most imminent danger, in coDsequeoce of the wind driving the ! masses of flame and portions of the burn- j ing goods in that direction. With the I view of preventing the spread of the fire ! to these premises, great exertions were ! made by the firemen to pour a heavy -stream of water from the back upon the I roof. This was effectual in preventing the j extension of the flames northward, but on i the south of the burning house was the j other extensive store occupied also by Messrs Fraser and Co, and although this building did not seem in much danger at first, it was soon perceived from the volume of smoke issuing from the windows, that it was doomed to rapid destruction. In less than an hour after the fire was discovered the flames from this building burst out from the top windows in a very sudden manner, and in a few minutes the whole place was one mass of ' fire. The fire in the house i n which it broke out had before this time reached the ground floor, and the mass of ignited ' matter was so great that the intensity of the heat rendered it difficult for the firemen and others who were zealously assisting, to remain in the street. The second house was fortunately a corner one, and by this means the conflagration was stayed from extending in a southerly direction. By about half-past ten the premised had been completely gutted, and it was seen that the walls were in danger of falling into the street. Fortunately, this was perceived in time, and those engaged at the engines and the spectators were enabled to get out of the way before the York street and Barrack street fronts fell piecmeal across the streets. Some narrow escapes occurred; but, fortunately, no accident happened to life or limb. By eleven o'clock, it was evident that the fire would be got under, without extending to any other premises than those of Messrs Fraser and Company. The residents not only in the vicinity of the premises but at a considerable distance, perceived a smelt of burning materials long before it was ascertained where the fire was, and the streets were filled with what looked like a London fog a considerable time before the alarm of fire was given. The wind at first blew strongly from the south-west, but moderated shortly after the fire broke out, or the consequences would, in all probability, have been far more disastrous than they were. The mass of burning materials ■which filled the horizon and fell upon the roofs of houses at a considerable distance, alarmed many persons for the safety of their premises, but fortunately no further damage was done than was occasioned by the hurried removal of property. The business of Messrs Fraser and Co. was of equal, if not of greater, extent than that of any other firm in Sydney. We have heard the loss variously stated at from sixty to one hundred thousand pounds. The books of the firm, we are glad to say, ■were all saved. We have not heard the amount for which the stock or premises were insured. The buildings were the property of the firm, and it is probable that the insurance will cover the principal part of the actual loss, although the-stop-page of such an extensive business cannot fail to affect disastrously a large number of persons. The greatest commiseration was expressed for Mr Fraser, and his partner, Mr Manson, who are universally respected, and whose numerous business connections in this and the neighboring ■ colonies, will learn with deep regret the misfortune that has befallen them. The houses opposite and premises at some distance were placed in considerable danger one time, by the wind carrying the burning debris across the street. Every exertion was made by the firemen and others, who labored with the greatest zeal to stop the progress of the flames, and fortunately they had the satisfaction of seeing their efforts crowned with success. — : Empire.