A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13495, 15 June 1914, Page 5

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE.

WATCHED BY IMMENSE CROWDS.

ESTIMATES OF THE LOSS

DOUBLED

(Received June 15, 0.49 a.m.)

Sydney, June 14. The fire made a brilliant spectacle, and lit up the sky for miles.

■The building destroyed was a big twodecked store, running the whole length of the wharf, and filled with merchandise. It was completely gutted.

Early in the fight it was realised that the German wharf was doomed, and efforts were concentrated upon saving Dalgety and Oo.'s and Mcllwraith's wharves, adjoining on each side, while flying debris threatened more distant wharves. Tho vessels anchored in the vicinity, a number of small craft, were towed away safely by tho water police and men from the warships, at considerable risk. Only tlie unwearying efforts of the j brigades, splendidly assisted by the naval men, averted a much bigger conflagration.

A strong force of police kept the immense Saturday night crowds from encroaching uix>n the fire Kone. Tho crowd was so dense that many women fainted.

A police sergeant had a narrow escape, from the burning wharf, the flames cut-

ting off his retreat. A boat dasherl through the fife and broiight him to safety, his face and hands being badly scorched.

The ruin© are still smouldering. Estimates of the damage range to £100,----000. ' •