FIRE AT RICHMOND.

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9477, 12 May 1899, Page 2

FIRE AT RICHMOND.

(from our own correspondent.)

A fike broke out last night (Wednesday) in the dressmaking department at Mr May's store, and the cause is attributed to a defective fire-place, it being built on the floor, which was protected only by a single thickness of bricks. At five o'clock in the evening water was applied to the fire that had been burning in the fireplace, and a plate of iron was so placed as to prevent danger, while at nine o'clook in the evening everything was reported to be safe. It would seem, however, that a live ember must have fallen between the bricks, and that the woodwork smouldered till a late hour, when flames bnrst out. Fortunately, Messrs Snowden and Siloock happened to be driving past Mr May's establishment 1 between 12 and 1 in the morning, and they observed flames inside the store, whereupon they immediately raised an alarm. With the capital water supp'y all danger was soon over. Very little damage was done by the fire itself, but considerable injury was done to goods in tbe store by water. But for the happy accident of the two gentlemen named passing at the time they did, the probabilities are that the whole block would have been destroyed. It is understood that the loss is covered by insurance in the South British Office.

Richmond, May 11th, 1899,