DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3431, 26 September 1885, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

About (en minutes to four o'clock yesterday morning Constable Satchwell who was on night duty m tho Main Btreet, while standing at tho Clarendon Hotel corner, noticed a strong glare of fire away to tho southward, souiewhero he judged about tbe vicinity of the Theatre Koyal. Ho at once hastened to tho Town Hall and rung the fireboll there, and after giving tho alarm ho proceeded down tho street and found that the building known as the Timaru lloot Palaco (lately occupied by t!. Anderson and Co.) was on fire and that the back part was burning very furiously. Tho ringing of the lnrgo bell was soon'followed by that of tho smaller ono at the Polk-e station, but owing to the bells not being rung long enough, but few people turned out. This was rathor unfortunate m ono respoet, as out of sixteen firemen only five wero warned, and appeared on the scene. Captain Amos, on going to tho Brigade Station to get tho reel met two of the Hcrn'd employees, who returned with him, and brought down the reel to the sceno of tho lire. In a very few mo.nents a powerful stream of water was brought to bear on the fire, nnd a second length of hose was connected to the hydrant (a double one), but on attempting to turn tho wntor on the second timo it was found that the cup connected with the rod for forcing down the ball bad becomo dctache.l. This hydmnt lmd then to be abandoned, and auothcr fixed on to the plug at tho Club corner, thus causing a slight delay. Aftorn-nrds another stream was brought from Woollcombe street corner, and tho tiro was soon under complete control. Owing to the building being under ono open roof, considerable difficulty was experienced m getting at it. Just before tho alarm was given Mr Reilly, the custodian of the Theatre lloval, was awakened, and as tho back of the building ulmost adjoins tho Theatre, the strong glare thrown on its windows made, him think at first that the Tlieatro was on fire He, on rising from bed, however, soon found out how matters stood, and calling his wifo took out the hose and hydrants from the front of tho stage through the lowor windows of the Theatre. Both Reilly nnd his wifo were m their nightdresses, and neither had boots or stockings on. On getting the hoso out of the window a gentleman ran up and placing a ladder against the roof of the right-of way leading to the stalls took the branch from Reilly'a hands. Sirs Reilly then turned the water on, and Hcilly ran m and put on a few articles of clothing. It was then suggested thut his wife should go and dress, but the reply was given she must stand by tho hydrant aa the hose had gome short turns m it and should it give way would damage more m the Theatre by water than tho firo was likely to do. And bravely indeed she stood by, ready to turn tho water off should it bo necessary. For her action she deserves moro than passing praise, and the way she and her husbaud accomplished their" task speaks volumes for tho work of firo extinction at so risky a place as a Theatre. The gear was at hand, m good order, and a strong hoad of water was directed on tho burning mass, four minutes from the first stroke of tho bell, and three minutes before any other stream of water was playing on the buildings. Mr Beilly, after getting on the roof of tho right-of-way, was well assisted by Superintendent Ashley, of tho Hailway Department, and captain of tho Kailway Fire Brigade, Christchurch, and two or three othor gentlemen. The efforts they put forth, and tho manful way they stuck to their rather warm task, assisted the Fire Brigade m no small degree to keep the fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings. Ihe Boot Palace was entirely gutted, and there now remains standing but bare brick walls. The limbers used m its internal construction must havo been very dry, as they burned fiercely. The roof of Mr Collins bookseller's shop next door to the Palace, and whiuh coders Jlrs Coihead's fancy goods shop also, was more than once set alight, but tho many streams of water directed on tho spot soon quenched the flames. These shops, however, wore much damaged m the upper storey, and the stock m the shops beneath was very much destroyed by water and smoke. It would Beem that tho fire started — how is a mystery — m one of tho b;ick downstairs rooms of tho Boot Pulace, and it must havo burned for a considerable tin.c before the ftrcbell rang, as the building was seen by those who came on the 6ccno immediately, to bo completely enveloped m flames, whiuh were, owing to a slight westerly breeze, shooting out almost hnlf-way across the street. Tho limited number of tho Firo Brigado present and the volunteers who worked at tho hope at tho back of the building deserve specially praising for getting it put out so speedily. In connection with this Captain Amos desires to thank all who assisted him and his men. Tho building burnod and thoeo adjoining are leasod by Mr Jackson from Mr Chirkson and aro insured for £1703 m two ofiices. Tho ono burned was sub-leased to Mr T. Amos, who but lately improved it very much by putting m a plate-glass front, etc., and who is unfortunately not insured. Tho stock m tho Boot Palaco was insured for £500 m the New Zealand office, £200 m the Union, £200 m tho South British, but Messrs Lightband, Allan and Co., who aro the proprietors of tho Palace, aro heavy losere, as they estimate the stock they had at £1654. Mr Collins, the bookseller, has his stock, etc., insured m tho Standard oflico for £500, and £500 m tho South British, and he estimates tho damage ho has sustained at about £tOO. Mrs GVthead has her stock, etc., insured m tho North British oflico for £500, and oho also estimates tho damage dono at soveral hundreds. Both Mrs Coxhoad's and Mr Collins promises aro so much injured that it is impossible to carry ou business.