THE SYDNEY FIRE. (Per Press Association.) Sydney, December 3.

Otago Witness, Issue 1920, 4 December 1890, Page 24

THE SYDNEY FIRE. (Per Press Association.) Sydney, December 3.

From the outset of the fire last night at Messrs Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s kerosene bond it was sesn that there was no chance of saving the bond where tbe fire originated, and the efforts of the fire brigades were consequently directed to saving the adjoining property. The heat was so intense that the firemen had to erect a shield to work behind ; but in spite of this protection several of the men were burnt about the hands and faces. The shed in which the kerosene was stowed was 150 ft by 40ffc. The night was calm, and the flames mounted high in the air, brilliantly illuminating the whole of the city. A number of vessels lying at the wharf were taken out in the stream for safety. Seven hundred and fifty thousand feet of timber became ignited, but the brigades managed to save a large portion of this. The oil continued to burn fiercely throughout the night, but the brigades confined the flames to the building in which the outbreak occurred, and n:> further damage wap done.

Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s loss is now estimated at £30,000. The building and wharves destroyed were fully covered by insurance, but it is not yet known whether the kerosene was insured.

Three hundred and four thousand gallons of kerosene were destroyed in Gibbs, Bright, and Co.'s bond. The origin of the fire is still a mystery. In consequence of the loss of this large stock the price of kerosene has risen l£d per gallon.