FIRE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 251, 3 March 1869, Page 2

FIRE

l\One of the most dangerous "fires it has been our task to record for some time past occurred this morning on the block of land bounded by Cashel, Colombo, Lichfield and High streets. Being in the very heart of the city, and surrounded by inflammable buildings and materials of the most dangerous kind, every advantage for the spread of the devouring element was offered ; but .thanks to the; time of its occurrence," the absence of wind, and most distinguished promptitude of the Fire - Brigade, the flames were confined ta the buildings in which they first originated/ The extent of damage has, it is true, been considerable, but still trifling compared with what would have resulted under less fortunate circumstances. The fire was first observed by a neighbour in a workshop attached to Mr Bailey's timber works, and notice was at once conveyed to the White Hart Hotel.' Here the bell of the Liverpool and London Brigade is stationed, and served to spread the alarm, being immediately responded to by that in the Marketplace. A dense column of perpendicular smoke rendered the district signal unnecessary, as it pointed out most clearly the locality in danger. Viewed from a short distance, it appeared to be emanating from the Triangle, and large numbers of persons speedily flocked from all parts of the city, ready and ample assistance being on the ground within a few seconds of tho first note of danger. The Liverpool London and Globe engine being, as it were, on the spot, was quickly run out, placed in position at the tank in front of Matheson's Agency, and water thrown on to the now blazing workshops within two or three minutes of the alarm being given. With no less commendable promptitude the hand engine of the City Brigade was brought up to the same spot in a minute or two afterwards, and the steam fire engine, although somewhat delayed by the want of horses, followed within a reasonable interval. The buildings.on fire occupied the centre of the block referred to, but easy access to them was fortunately afforded from the tank by the White" Hart, right-of-way leading from High street, and another leading from Cashel street, near Mr Kiver's shop. The Liverpool and Lbn ! on engine opened up communication •from the latter; the other hand engine adopting the one in High street, and the steam fire engine having one length of hose laid down: each. These , measures'.' gave a full command of the fire on every side, and could hardly have been improved upon. Each engine was got into play with a rapidity that could not have been excelled, and which was the theme of 'general' comment by the persons assembled near. Two jets were playing within five minutes; of ; the: alarm, and the two supplied by the steam engine in about nine minutes later. The premises of Mr Bailey, w,e should explain, occupied an area of about 120 feet square, and consisted entirely of one-floor buildings, used for storing building materials, timber, &c. A space of, in some places, not more than ten or twenty feet intervened between them and ,other, structures, either fronting on one of the streets previously named or attached to them. On the east and west sides, however, this was almost entirely occupied by extensive stacks of timber and other materials, offering most dangerous facilities to the Bpread of fire;,. A workshop occupied the rear of the buildings running from north to south, and it was in thie northern end of this that smoke was first observed. • There was no one working in it at the time, nor had there been for the last week or fortnight ; whilst Mr Bailey's clerk was in during the earlier part of the morning and did not notice any signs of danger. When once started, it will easily Be understood that the flames spread with almost inconceivable rapidity, and, from the first, precluded any hope of saving the block of buildings. As an instance of this we may note that Mr L. G. Cole, Captain of the Fire Police, entered the workshop within a second or two of the fire being noticed, and only succeeded in carrying one batch of doors out into the yard before the whole place was in flames. When he entered the fire was confined to one end, and he only went a few yards away before returning with the intention of saving more property. In little more than ten minutes the whole block of buildings were blazing fiercely, and notwithstanding the almost entire absence of wind, the immense heat was sufficient to seriously threaten some of the adjacent houses, particularly those fronting on Lichfield street. Wet blankets, and buckets of water from a well in rear of Mr Heslop's photographic studio, were freely used, and fortunately with good effect. The Fire Police, who mustered in very strong force, and volunteers from the crowd, were very active in this respect, as also in removing the timber stacked about the premises. This latter was at times attended with no inconsiderabledanger,apartfromthediscomfort caused by the scorching heat ; but all were reckless of personal risk, and we may justly state that on no occasion have we seen greater zeal displayed. In working the engines, the same spirit was displayed, the ex-mayor and several leading citizens readily taking a turn at the pumping. During the time the two hand engines were playing upon the flames but little effect was perceptible, and the fire succeeded in communicating with a portion of the loose timber before the steam engine was got into working order. As soon, however, as the two powerful streams of water were delivered by it on to the flames, all danger of other build- 1 ings being ignited was quickly removed, and by the united service of the three engines, the fire was rapidly got under, thirty minutes not having elapsed from the time of alarm before, practically speaking, it was quenched.

Capt. Wilson was in command from an early period of the fire, and ' directed the efforts of his men to the best advantage. We are informed that Mr Bailey was insured for the property destroyed, and some other building contiguous to it, for-£IOOO, in the Liverpool London and Globe Office. The origin of the fire is, it will be understood from the above particulars, unknown.