FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6482, 27 February 1889, Page 3

FIRES.

IN WILSON STREET.

About twenty minutes past three yesterday a fire broke out in a six-roomed wooden cottage in Wilson street, off Lower High Btreet, belonging to Mr Henry M'Caithy, caretaker at the Christchurch Working Men's Club, who resided there with his Bister, Mrs Clark, and her family. It began in an upstairs room, and the alarm waß. given by the children, who were playing in the room, and who came running downstairs, crying that the house was on fire. The firebeU was soon rung, and the chemical engine was at the scene with commendable smartness. By its means the flames were confined to the upper portion of the house, and a steamer soon afterwards came up and extinguished them by one of its powerful jets. The adjoining houses were saved by the pail engines of the Brigade. Fortunately most of the furniture, which belonged to Mrs Clark, and was in the ground- floor rooms, was saved, though somewhat damaged in the removal. The cottage was insured for .£l5O in the Liverpool and London and Globe Office, and, the furniture for £140 in the Colonial Office. It is not known how the fire was caused, but it is conjectured that the children may have been playing with matches in the upper room. .. It is a curious fact that the house was partially burned down before Mr M'Carthy bought it. He recently expended a considerable sum in repairing and adding to it.