FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1421, 15 February 1879, Page 20

FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Christchdbch, February^ 6th. A most destructive fire broke out in Lichfield etreet shortly before 6 o'clock this evening, in the premises occupied by W. Saunders, general •jaerchant ; Sargood, Son, and Ewen, wareItousemen ; and H. Sorensen, merchant. There was a strong S.W. breeze, which, together with the inflammable nature of the stock, prevented •scarcely anything being saved, Mr Soreneen's stock was valued at about L50OO ; Saunders' .ditto, at L 12,00 0; and the fouilding, which was owned by him, L4OOO. Sargood's loss is unknown, owing to the manager's absence in Dunedin. Saunders' insurances are :— Stock : In New Zealand Insurance Company, L 400 0; South British, L 250 0; Staa--dard, L 100 0; London and Lancashire, L 100 0: total, LBSOO. On buildirg: In New Zealand Company, LIOOO ; South .British LSOO ; Colonial, L 1000: total, L 2500. Sorenßen : On stock, L3OOO, in the Standard Company. Sar4good: On stock, in the National Company, 3*2000. Messrs King and Co., produce merchants, had a large quantity of butter in the «tore, which was covered by an insurance of XIGOO, but it is not known in what office. With the exception of LSOO on Saunders' «tock, and LIOOO on Sorensen's, the Standard is covered by reinsurance. February Bth. At five minutes to 1 this morning the fire<bell rang out for the second time. On this •occasion the fire proved to be on the premises ot Messrs Twentyman and Cousins, in a building at the rear of Cashel street. The building is about 35 feet long and 12 feet wide, and was used for stabling and storage, an intervening yard dividing it from the warehouse. The uorfies were got out, and axes, woodware, chains, and iron goods made up the rest of the contents. •On discovery, a young man named Oaborne *an to Lichfield street fire; from whence an extinguisher was immediately brought. Before half-past 1 the fire was well under. The pra- • anises were found secured and isolated. There is little doubt the fire was the work of an incendiary. The Star has been furnished with correct information relative to the amounts of inHurances in connection with the fires in Lichfield and Cashel streets, showing the extentto which the various insurance companies are involved. The list is as follows :— Colonial, L 1000; Norwich Union, L 1000; New Zealand, 1*3000.;, Union, L 150 0; South British, L 3000; London. JrijjdL, Lancashire, L 150 0; Standard, , TffibOfW&flio], London, and Globe, L 100 0; -i^National, L 2000; Commercial and Union, LIOOO. In cellar : London and Lancashire, L 25 0; Standard. LIOOO ; Transatlantic, 1.1000; Northern, LSO0 ;— grand total, L 19.750. The only salvage obtainable will b? from the stock in the cellar, wbiish may perhaps prove to be comparatively uninjured. Messrs Twentyman aud Cousins' fire insurances on building and stock were : — South British, L 750, and Colonial, L7so— total, LISOO. Men were employed on the wreckage to-day examining tbe fetock still left.