A FIERCE BLAZE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16919, 19 December 1922, Page 6

A FIERCE BLAZE.

BIG FIRE IN THE CITY. OLD BUILDING GUTTED. The premises occupied by Lutjohann and Co., billiard table manufacturers, were almost completely destroyed by fire last evening. The flames spread to the adjoining premises occupied by Alex Wilder, Ltd., printers and stationers, and a good deal of damage was done on the top floor. The burned premises are situated in Victoria Street, next to the Salvation Army barracks. The call was received by the Fire Brigade shortly after seven o'clock, and Lntjohann’s premises were well alight when the engines arrived. The blaze had started in the Durham Street end of the premises, but dense smoke was pouring from the front of the building and from the roof when the brigade arrived. From the windows on the narrow right of way that separates the building from the Salvation Army citadel sheets of flame were shoot, ing up. The situation of the building made it difficult for the brigade to get the water to the seat of the fire, the points of attack being limited by the length of the building and the narrowness of the right of way. There was no spare between the building and TVildey s premises for the brigade to work in. A lead of hose was taken in through a bark window of A. Wildey’s, Ltd., and from side windows steady streams water were poured into Lutjohann’s. Thick black smoke poured from the roof and windows at the Durham Street end. adding t-o the difficulties of the brigade. Presently the smoke from Lutjohann’s gave way to flame, and the entire building seemed to be one glowing mass. Burning woodwork and splintered glass were falling on to the footpath. and it seemed impossible that any part of the building would be saved. The great- crowd that collected was treated to a fine spectacle as the flames grew and the debris began to raise sparks while tho water hissed ou the flames as the firemen pressed their fight. Then it was noticed that the roof of Wildey"r premises above the bindery was on fire, giving further work to the brigade. The brigade rose to the occasion, however, and the blaze in Wildey’s was checked before, any really serious damage had been done. After the fire had been going for about an hour the roof of Lutjohann’s opened, emitting sheets of flame that shot high into the air. The brigade, however, were definitely securing the upper hand j by this time, and the flames subsided rapidly. It was not until nearly ten , o’clock, however, that the buildings j could be safely left. Lutjohann’s was an old building j owned’ by Mr M. M’Cormick. Little j but the shell is left, the interior hav- | ing been destroyed. The building was insured for £2OO with the National Of- i fice, and the contents for £2 700 in the Phoenix.

The damage in Wildey’s premises was done principallv by water, which was poured in to prevent the spread of the flames. A corner of the bindery was burned, and large quantities of stationery and printed matter wore destroyed. The binding machine was also badly damaged. Downstairs there was serious flooding, n large stock of envelopes being ruined. The tram ticket printing machine, the only one of its kind in New Zealand, and which is valued at £2OOO. was saved. Wilder** insurances were £2OOO on the building (£IOOO in the Alliance Office and £IOOO in the Standard); £3035 in the Alliance Office on the machinery and plant : £6OO in the New Zealand Office on the ticket machine ; £-500 on the stock in the Alliance Office: £1250 on the stock in store in the Alliance Office : and £7OO on the stock in store in the New Zealand Office. Under the circumstances a good save was effected by the Fire Brigade. Although the fire had made too much progress to permit of anything being done to save the old building occupied by T.utjnhann's from destruction, the confining of the flames to the one building was a good achievement. The size of the crowd which gathered called for a good deal of activity on the part of the police to keep it in order, small hoys who insisted on venturing closer than was safe giving a good deal of trouble. Soon after nine o’clock, however. the crowd had dwindled, leaving only a few stragglers to watch the final operations of the fire brigade.