Disastrous Fire in Wellington.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1777, 30 December 1885, Page 2

Disastrous Fire in Wellington.

KIGHT SHOPS AND FOUR COTTAGES CONSUMED. DAMAGE OVER £IO,OOO.

I,lose upon eight o’clock yesterday morning an alarm of lire was beard in Wellington, when it was discovered that Myer’s picture frame shop was ablaze. The lire brigade was soon out, but they could not stay the progress of the conflagration, and Smart's Oyster Saloon and Mrs Nelson's Fruit Shop on either side were soon consumed. Aldoas’ tobacconist, Spiller’s music shop, Fanner's large furniture warehouse, the Wellington Meat Company’s butcher’s shop, a M Mrs Paul's millinery shop followed. The lire also destroyed the stables of the .: Company, and then extended to four cottages in 3. small lane running off Woodward street, and all these were destroyed. Hayes' plumbers’ shop, Arrowsmith’s fruiterer's, and the Branch Hotel had a very narrow escape. Sparks were carried a longdistance away, aiid the Occidental Hotel, Dr Henry's house, Gardener's ironmongery establishmerit, and the Central Club were on at one time, but were saved with some difficulty. There is no conjecture as to how the fire originated. The total insurances, so far as can be judged though the present list is j nnt mmn some offices not being in a position 'to supply fuii particulars bll late in the day—seem to amount to £SOOO, while the total damage is estimated at over £IO,OOO. , About fifteen years ago a large nre broke out on the same spot, when the South Sea Hotel and other buildings were destroyedAmong the many incidents connected with yesterday's firs, it is said that a lady s dress caught as she was looking at the conflagration from the Terrace, and she was soon enveloped in flames. She was, however, soon extinguished by the bystanders,