THE PERTH FIRE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 137, 15 November 1895, Page 3

THE PERTH FIRE.

The disastrous fire at the Perth (W.A. Customs house was discovered by one of the Harbourmaster’s crew at a quarter

to 4 on Tuesday morning (says a commu- | nication from Melbourne (per s s Mararoa, V at the Bluff) under date, October 31st). The Superintendent of the prison, with 50 prisoners, took part in the struggle with the flames, which had attacked the Queens Warehouse and the whole of the railway good sheds. In these were the entire cargoes of the steamers Lnnamincka and Tangiers, including the passengers’ luggage. Among the contents where shipments of kerosene and sugar, and also large quantities of chemicals and other highly inflammable goods. These all assisted the flames, and shortly after 4 all hopes of saving either buildings or their contents were abandoned. The efforts were then directed towards saving the surrounding properties, and were successful. The damage is estimated at from £40,000 to £50,000. This involves the railway good* sheds, the Queen’s Ware house and their contents, including a quantity of rolling stock used for hauling and conveying goods. The buildings were insured, hut the extent of the insurance (if any) on the goods is not known, as the consignees’ names have not been ascertained. It is believed that the greater number are insured. Of the origin of the fire nothing is known. There was a cask of leaking acid in the Queen’s Warehouse, and also a quantity of wax matches.