Destructive Fire.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3422, 10 December 1879, Page 2

Destructive Fire.

Two Shops Burnt.

A destructive fire broke oat this moraine in Pollen street, Grahamstown, in the premisei of Mr J. Brien, a second-hand furniture dealer. It would appear that the glare was first observed in Albert street, Grahamstown, and a minute later the Williamson street bell clanged forth its alarm, and thest eets of Grahamstown were speedily lined with scantily dressed citizens all harrying to the scene of the conflagration. The fire originated in a bedroom in Brien's house. Mr Adeock, residing one door from the Brien's, was aroused by the unwonted bayiug of his dog;, which was chained ia the yard and was speedily outside, when be saw the fitmti bursting through the roof of his neighbor's premises. He battered at the door, and tiie inmates came out in a terrible state of perturbation. Mrs Brien made an attempt to rush into the burning house again to save some £17 that bad been left inside. She was met with a volume of flame,' and it was apparent that ait hope of saring anything was futile, the devouring element having 'ex tended over the whole building. The persons in the street turned their attention to savin* the • furniture and stock in Messrs Wood and Adcock's shops. Their intentions with respect to the first named however were frustrated, as the whole upper portion of the shop was enveloped in flames almost before anything could be done. The Grahamstown Fire Brigade with their hose reel arrived one minute after Wood's shop caught, but from t&c distance of the available fire plugs, and a little bungling in making the connections, it was some time before the water was brought into play, and Wobd's shop was a blazing masß, I andj was very speedily consumed. Tlio Shortlahd Brigade arrived while their Grahamstown brethren were getting on the water and they were speedily hard at work. The flames at one time caught the roof and side of Adcock's shop, but a well-directed play of water from two branches extinguished the fire. Brien's shop was insured in the JBoyal for £150 Wood's shop was insured in the Norwich Union for £50, on behalf of < the Building Society. Nearly all the stock and furniture was consumed; also all Mr Wood/senior's bookbinding tools and stock of leather. As many of the tools cannot be replaced in the Colonies, the loss is a very serious one to Mr Wood. We understand that the Borough authorities will make inquiries into the matter of bungling at the fire. It is stated that Mr Wade, with the best intentions no doubt, fixed a hydrant of his own to a fire plug close to the scene of the fire. The brigade at this moment coming up with the rael noticed 'the hydrant there, and ran on to Fahau street. When they came to couple the delivery to Wade's hydrant their couplings would not fit, and a delay of some minutes was caused in taking out the hydrant, and replacing it with one belonging to the brigade.

Sydney, Thfc diy. The estimate of expenditure for next year is £5.984,183, showing a decrease of £9,500, at compared with last year.