FIRE IN CURRIE-STREET.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9258, 7 December 1891, Page 2

FIRE IN CURRIE-STREET.

-*■ . MR W. R. RUSSELL'S SHOP DESTROYED* The firebella rang oat an alarm at twenty minute? to 10 o'clock on Sunday nieht, a conflagration having broken out in the shop of Mr William R. Rusiell, Btationer and bookseller, Carrie-street. Miss E. Allen, who is employed at Mr Weale's, first noticed the fire and immediately gave the alarm. Constable Redican and Mr James Butterworth wore the first to arrive on the scene, and th>y tried to extinguish tho flames by buckets of water, hut the fire had too great a hold on the building for their efforts to be successful. Some others who came up afterwards attempted to salvage some of tho stock, but they only managed, in getting out about £2 10s worth of books and stationery. Tho Fire Brigade, under Capt. Maher, were prompt in responding to the alarm, and Boon extinguished the flames, but not boforo the building was completely gutted. The origin of the fire is unknown. Mr Russell was in the building between 7 and 7.39 o'clock, and when he went out he left a kerosene lamp turned low burning in his bedroom, which was situated at the back of 'the shop The window of tho bedroom was partially open for ventilation, and it is surmised that probably the draft coming in at the window must liuve caused an explosion of the lamp When Miss Allen first saw the fire it wus located in the bedroom portion of the building, so it was plain that the fire originated there. Mr Russell's insurance is as follows: — £45 on building, £40 on stock, and £15 on furniture. The building was a comparatively new one, and when erected cost Mr Russell £65, so that his loss cannot be said to be covered by insurance. Mr Russell lost a small amount in cash, and also all his clothes.