EXTENSIVE FIRE IN NELSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 769, 25 August 1866, Page 16

EXTENSIVE FIRE IN NELSON.

(From the Nelson Examiner, August 7.)

This morning, about half past three o'clock, an alarm of fire was given, and the strong glare which almost immediately lit up the town, showed that it was one of no ordinary character, and that the immunity Nelson bad hithei to enjoyed from a serious visitation of this character was about to be lost. The fire originated in the yard of Mr M'Gee's Nelson Hotel, at the southwest corner of Bridge and Collingwood streets, and in an inconceivably short apace of time, through a strong wind blowing from the S.W., it extended itself to the four corners of the streets named — to Condell's store on the sou th -east angle ,• the Temperance Hall at the north-east ; and the Mitre Hotel r.t the north west corner. The progress of the flamts was so rapid, that before any effectual J aid could be rendi red, they had taken firm hold ot all the buildings we have named, and were fast spreading in every direction. Immediately adjoining the Nelson Hotel, westward of it in Bridge street, was the Royal Hotel, kept by Porthou-e. adj lining which was Laney's and this was adjoined by M'Artney's. All these buildings are in ashes. The fmth' r progress of the flamts was stayed in t'.iis direction by a lane which runs from Bridge street up to Hardy street, although the premises ol Dr Tatton, on the opposite sids of the lane, were only saved with great difficulty. At the corner of Collingwood street, opposite to M'Gee's, the fire quickly seized on Condell's store, and spreading to the nearest buildings, dusfroved Townsend's boardinghouse, eastward in Bridge street, and the premises of Mr Fish, draper, and another small houte, southward, iv Collingwood street. Tbc body of flamed was now bo great, and the wind blowing so strongly, that burning embers were carried across Bridge etreet to the roof ot the Temperance Hall, situate at the north-east corner, and this &wi several neighboring cottages, belonging, we believe, to Mr R. Burn, rapidly disappeared. The mass of fire from the block which originally ignited was now so great as it burnt down Bridge street, that the wind blowing obliquely across, carried binning embers to the roof of the Mitre Hotel, which stood *t the remaining curler. By this time all the assistance that could be rendered was at band, and such efforts as were possible to stay the flames were vigorously used. The fire-eDgine was in full play, aud acting, we are informed, on the authority of the Superintendent, buildings were taken down whenever Utctsaary to stay the flames spreading. By halfpast five the fire was under command, and its power lor further mischief put a Btop to

We cannot tti> morning give full particulars of the damage inflicted, but it must be very great indeed. As far a« we can gather, the following 13 the list of houses burnt: —

Mr M'Gee, Nelson Hotel; Mr PuTthouse, Royal Hotel ,• Mr Laney, baker ; Mr M'Artney, tinsmith ; Mr (Jondel), storekeeper ; Mrs Townsend, boarding house ; Mr Corrigan's dwelling house ; the Temperauce Hall ; Youu^ Men's Christian Asso:iation meeting house; Mr Barraclmgb, dwelling house; Mr Fish,

draper's establishment ; Mr Avery, boot shop ; Mr OA'en, Mitre Hotel ; Mr Pratt, butcher's shop.

There are several other houses which have Ken destroyed, as well as a large number of out- houses, &c, in the rear oi the buildings we have mentioned. The origin of the fire is, we fear, the work of an incendiary. It was first discovered by Mr M'Gee, who, roused from his sleep by the consciousness of 6 r e at hand, ran down stairs, and saw the fl lines running up the windward &ide of his house, in his back yard, and, as he believes, from a mass of burning ahavings lying in an angle of the building, from which the fire appeared to have arisen. Mr M'Gee had otily time to rtscue his family in their night clothing, and could not eveu save his casb-box, which contained fromLSO to L6O Mr M'Gee was insured for LI7OO, which is but a small portion ot his loss. Of the loss sustained by the other sufferers we have no time to gather particulars, but several must have lost the greater part, if not the uhole, of their furniture. This dire calamity gives rise to many reflections, which we shall state when we can do so with a proper degree of-calmness. We trust that no lives have been lost, but as we witnes ed children being taken out of houses which a few tniuutts afterwards were in flames, it is not possible to say as yet. In the hurry and confusion attendant on the disaster, it is possible that some persons may have beeu forgotten ; there was, indeed, a rumor afloat this morning that one child, whose name we have not ascertained, waa no where to be found .

Au inquest was held on the fire, and the jury returned the folio *ing verdict :— " That the Nelson Hottl was burned between the hours of three and four o'clock in the morning of the 7th instant, aua we believe that the fire arose accidentally. *