FIRE IN WALKER STREET.

Otago Witness, Issue 1324, 14 April 1877, Page 7

FIRE IN WALKER STREET.

Walker street, after having enjoyed an almost complete immunity from tire for a long time past, was the scene of a lather large conflagration on Friday morning, between four and five o'clock. The alarm was rung from Bell Tcwer at about 4 25, and the Fire Brigade promptly mustered at the Central Station, and some hesitation, the first three arrivals, assisted by a bystander, got out on a of the hose reels and started for Walker street. On reaching there, the fire was found to have a firm hold of Mrs Mellican's Rising Sue Hotel, and some of the wooden buildings adjacent to it. The buildings in question were mere shells, and had been erected for many years, consequently the flames spread with great rapidity. Carter's grocery store situated immediately ofl the right of the Rising Sun, was speedily consumed, and the fire then extended to a small drapery store kept by Mr W. Palmer, and which was completely gutted, and most of the stock destroyed. ' To the left of the Hotel was a brick building, the property of Mr G. Elson, and the side and back windows of which were almost completely burned. The Brigade did their best under the circumatances, but they had to encounter

drawbacks in the shape of the bursting of a hose, and also in consequence of the pressure of water not being very strong. Shortly before the fire was discovered, Mrs Palmer noticed a strong smell of burning, and aroused, her husband, who on . going to his window saw flames issuing from the bar window .of the. hotel. He gave the alarm, and then proceeded to save what valuables he could get out of his premises. Mrs Mellican and her sister were aroused, and had barely time to effect their escape. Mr Carter was from home at the time, and his wife and family slept on the premises, but succeeded in effecting their escape by a back door. The Rising Sun and the store were completely destroyed, and a small cottage at the rear of them was also burnt so as to be, no doubt, almost useless. The entire block was the property of Mr Elson. The following are the insurances : — Mrs Mellican — Stock and furniture, Norwich. Omce, £200, estimated loss, £600. She also lost £150 in gold, notes, and silver, which were m her box at the time. A portion of the gold and silver has, we learn, been recovered, but ia a veiy blackened condition. W. Palmer— £200 on stock and furniture, Standard Office ; estimated loss, £300. T. Carter— £3oo stock and furniture, New Zealand Office ; estimated loss, £400. G. Elson — Jforwich Union Office, for £1000, as follows :— Rising Sun Hotel building, £200 • store building, £100 ; brick building, £200 on furniture, and £300 on building ; wooden building rear of brick building, £200 : estimated loss, £600. So far nothing is positively known as to the origin of the fire, but we believe two witnesses concur in the opinion that it broke out in the small opening between the Rising Sun Hotel and Carters store.