FULLER DETAILS. NARROW ESCAPE FOR THE BLOCK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13666, 23 May 1908, Page 5

FULLER DETAILS. NARROW ESCAPE FOR THE BLOCK.

THE FIREMEN" CHEERED. I WELLINGTON, May 23. The General Post and Telegraph Department had an exceedingly narrow escape from destruction in last night's fire. A fierce nor-west gale was blowing at the time, and after O'Brien's store was completely gutted the flames swept with rapidity through other wooden structures facing Panama ! Street. These are mostly used as workshops and storerooms in connection with the departments named. The fire roared through these buildings ; the flames swept high in the air. So strong was* the wind that leads of hose operated from the ground level became ineffective, the water being blown into spray before it reached its mark. Another risk the firemen had to contend with was from sheets of galvanised iron, which were hoisted by the wind and tnrown in all directions. When the flames reached the brick wall at the rear of the Post and'Tele'graph Oifice they received a check, and the fire-proof protections over the apertures in that portion of the premises prevented' the fire .getting to any ex- / tent * within the building. The firemen were fighting with great determination, and,reteoived cheer after cheer of encouragement from the spectators. ' Shortlty after ID. p.m. all danger to the Post and Telegraph Department had' 1 Been removed,- and the firemen . turned their attention to the wooden bonfire which \wis still burning merrily. Clouds of smoko found admission into the Post and Telegraph Office, and at about 9.30 were so d&nse that the operators Had to abandon their instruments; and in th^ 1 other department t operations were i^*»spend#d .for a time, but fh both 1 branches provision was made for the safety of; the records;, ( etc. Some of the Auckland wirbs were connected through^ to Blenheim and Cliristehureh to allow through \york td be transmitted, but no station coulo connect with Wellington until about 11.30 p.m., when work ivas resumed, ' and qnjy then would briei^ messages be receive^. In the mail-room, parcel office, and tho public office of tho Post Office there Was a general clearance of postal matter, but the premises were not touched by fire. The State Fire Insurance Department also removed the contents of its. office from danger. The outbreak occurred in O'Brien's store at the corner of Feathcrston and Panama Streets. This was filled with furniture belonging to clients of the firm. Mr R. %., ' Levin had a 'large quantity " stored, valued at about Captain Brown, of the Defence Department, is also a loser. Mr O'Brien is unable to estimote the amount of his loss, but declares that it spells ruin to him. The other occupants of tho destroyed buildings were Casey' and Moran (solicitors), the Inspector of Weights and Measures, W. B. Applement > (manufacturers' agent), and Albert E. Gannaway (dairy produce exporter), also premises used by the Telegraph and Postal Department { as workshops and stores. Two adjoining wooden buildings were unoccupied, but formerly loosed by Kcir and' Co. (Carriers) and Ekins (gunsmith), were gutted. The work of demolition , of the destroyed buildings to enable the work of extending the Post and Telegraph Departments is to proceed. ' There was little, or no insurance on any of the places.