Fire at St Albans.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5180, 9 December 1884, Page 3

Fire at St Albans.

<. An alarm of fire was rung at 11.15 p.m. last night, and for some minutes there appeared to be doubts as to the locality of the conflagration. However, a bright glow showing up in the north-west soon sent all the fire-seekers up the Papanui road, and it was found that the grocer's shop and dwelling-house of Mr F. Bonnington, nearly opposite St Albans lane, and adjacent to the Borough Council office, were in flames. Mr Bonnington's family had retired, for the night, and he was in an upstairs room, just preparing to follow them, when he was startled by a noise as of some heavy object falling. He went to one of the children's bedrooms in the upper storey, and saw the fire breaking through the flooring. So complete was the mastery that the flames quickly obtained over the whole building, which is of wood, and contained eight rooms, besides a large shop and storeroom, that after the occupants had escaped the idea of saving any quantity of the furniture had to be abandoned. A piano and a couple of chairs were all the goods saved. Adjoining Mr Bonnington, and separated by a narrow passage, was the house occupied by Mrs Horneman, also of wood. This cottage was in great danger, but the timely arrival of the chemical engine prevented its destruction or any great damage being done to it. Mr Superintendent Turton and his Brigade, together with the railway firemen, and Inspector Pencler and a detachment of the police, were soon on the spot, and did all they could to prevent further damage being done. One of the fire-engines was connected with the creek in the Hon J. T. Peacock's grounds,, opposite, and the water thus obtained served to quench the embers. Mr Bonnington has no idea how the fire originated, but he believes it broke out in ! the shop, or in the store, which runs ! through the building, from the front to ' the back. The insurances are — on the j building destroyed, .£400 ; and on the stock I and furniture, .£SOO, both policies being in i the Colonial office. Mr Bonnington e3tij mates his loss at .£BOO above the insurance. Mrs Horneinan's house, which was but slightly damaged, was insured for .£l5O in the National Company.