Another Big Fire in Wellington.

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9366, 30 December 1898, Page 2

Another Big Fire in Wellington.

! Splendid Efforts by the Fire Brigade. < (Per United Press ."Association.) '• WEiAraoroN, December 29. A fire broke out at 2-30 this morning in H. Flockton's furniture factory, off Cuba street. Fanned by a strong S.W. gale, the ' flames spread to R. Heron's furniture factory adjoining, and both buildings were soon burning fiercely. The Brigade, under Lieut Adams, were promptly on the scene, and directed their efforts to the saving of Creapin's co-operative store, C. Smith's large drapery establishment, and George and George's drapery shop, which face Cuba-street. It was soon apparent that the Brigade had a great task on hand to save these premises and prevent the spread of the fire to r the whole of lower Cuba-street. The men worked magnificently, despite the [tremendous heat and dense volumes of smoke which arose from the sawdust in the factories, and the crowd were not slow to appreciate their efforts, for the firemen ' were cheered time after time. Crespin's store caught at the back, and the fire, working its way under the roof, - placed the Brigade at a disadvantage, and 9 for some time it looked as if all the adjoin--3 ing buildings were doomed. The fire ob--3 tamed a good hold on the back part, and 1 top stories of the three premises ; but the • Brigade succeeded after a great fight; in 3 confining it to this limit, although it was nearly three hours before all danger was 1 past. r Both factories were levelled to the ground, ■ and the other three premises were com--1 pletely gutted at the back and on the ton ' stories, The buildings held large and valuable stocks, whioh were completely > ruined by water and smoke.