A DISASTROUS FIRE

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 23

A DISASTROUS FIRE-

KEMPTHORNE, PROSSER, AND CO,'S

STORE DESTROYED.

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £50,000.

(Prom Our Own ConitEsroxDEXT.)

WELLINGTON, March 21

To-night at .Messrs Kempthorne, Proper, and Co.'s (New Zealand Drug Company) one of the most disastrous fires known in Wellington for some years occurred. The. building was ona of the handsome commercial establishments which form what is known as the Victoria street block, and in a couple of hours the four stores were in ruins. The warehouse was stocked, of course, with drugs, and as the fire progresed and lighted up the whole city the huge column of fire and smoke which ascended from the burning building was vividly illuminated by repeated flashes as some of the drugs and acids exploded, with loud reports as of the firing of guns. These explosions were to the thousands of persons assembled in the streets in front of the warehouse terrifying to witness. The Fire Brigade in these dangerous surroundings did all that it was possible for men to do, but in view of the highly inflammable character of the stock they were powerless to save the warehouse. The fire crept- into every part of it with resistless fury and took complete charge of the- building. It is believed to have originated in 'the packing-room.