A DISASTROUS FIRE IN SYDNEY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8664, 28 December 1889, Page 3

A DISASTROUS FIRE IN SYDNEY.

UNION COMPANY'S NEW STORE BURNT. SERIOUS DANGER" TO SHIPPING. 1200 TONS NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE DESTROYED. Sydney, December 25. — A great lire broke out this morning, which at one time threatened to destroy a large amount of shipping. At 2.30 a.m. the watchman in the vicinity of the sheds on the Tasmanian wharf discovered the lire. The brigade were soon on the spot, but there was little chance of their getting the fire well in hand, and what they did was in the direction of keeping the flames to the premises already attacked. The nature of the contents in the store served to feed the lire, and for a time it was perhaps one of the fiercest fires seen in New South "Wales for many years. The Union Steam Ship Company's new store, adjoining the premises in which the fire originated, was capable of holding 30,000 t jus of cargo, but once the flames got hold of it the structure was rapidly demolished. At one time the steamer Waihora, which had only recently arrived from Wellington, was in danger of becoming a victim to the fire, but the officer, witli promptitude deserving of great credit, hauled the vessel away from the wharf. The steam raised by the vessel's pumps saved the wharf in question from being destroyed. Messrs Huddart, Parker and Co.'s sheds were saved with difficulty. Twelve hundred tons of produce which was landed here by the last three New Zealand steamers was burnt, but for what amount insured is not known, and owing to the offices closing for the festive season nothing is likely to be known before Friday. The structures destroyed were wood buildings, and had frontages to the water. Two firemen were injured, but it is not expected that fatal results will supervene. The damage is estimated at £30,000. The South British and National Offices have each an £8000 line on the premises destroyed. The National had reinsured £5i75, of which the New Zealand has £500, and Union £1000. The South British re-insurances are unknown.