FIRE IN SYDNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11762, 28 July 1916, Page 6

FIRE IN SYDNEY.

TRE DAMAGE. SEVERAL NARROW ESCAPES. Bv Telegraph—Pre.*.*. Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 27. The fire brigades made si .<pleu«j!tS nave, though it was a difficult job. Steadman's is a three-suorev building, with a wide floor spate, stretching from Clarence to Kent Streets, packed with highly inflammable material and much valuable machinery. The building is surrounded on all sides by big buildings. Stcadman's was gutted right through. The Grand Central Hotel was severely damaged, fifty or sixty rooms on the upper.floors by firo and almost the whole of the building saturated with water. The Edwards and Dunlop Company's warehouse on one sid'e of «Steadman's and the David Mitchell Company on the other wen: slightly damaged by fire, but. suffered heavy losses from water. Other sufferers to a loss extent were Parsons Bros., jam manufacturers, and a woolen and soap factory. Falling walls disorganised the telephone and telegraph service. There was great excitement in tse Grand Central. Sleepers on the top floors were hurriedly aroused by flames, breaking windows and clouds of smoke. Some had difficulty in reaching the staircase, escaping in ; the.scantiest raiment'. Two invalids were carried out. There were some narrow escapes. Steadmau's insurance amounted to £-82,-546, including £3OOO in the New Zealand and £3OOO in the South British Companies.- The other firms are largely covered'. SYDNEY. July 27. The damage sustained by Stcadroans in the fire is estimated at £loo,C-00.