FIRE IN THE AVENUE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 3508, 1 November 1877, Page 2

FIRE IN THE AVENUE.

At eleven o'clock last night, a fire originated in Mr L. L. Levy's premises in Victoria Avenue, which, almost as soon as discovered, seemed as if it were destined to destroy the whole block. But within five minutes of the first alarm of fire, the Fire Brigade under Captain Cummins, was on the spot, and with the help of a copious supply of water from the Westmere Lake, in a very brief space the flames were got under. As to the origin of the fire we are not in a position to speak. The first alarm was given by Mr Forder, who was driving up the Avenue, and immediately Mr Wall, and two members of the staff of this journal, who were attending to their duties, in the front room of the Chronicle office, rushed into the street, from whence they observed the reflection of the flames proceeding from the offices above Mr Levy's premises. Mr Wall proceeded upstairs, and breaking open a door connecting with Mr Levy's showroom, discovered the fire in its initial stages, — some pictures and other light materials being then in flames, together with the partition which separates Mr Levy's room from the passage leading to the New Zealand Insurance Office. Mr Wall endeavoured to smother the flames with his overcoat, but was un-

successful, and in a few moments the fire had a strong hold of the walls and the roof. The first practical assistance rendered was by Mr Leslie, with the small hose belonging to Mr Burns, chemist, and which did good service until the arrival of the Brigade. After the fire had apparently been got completely under, and nearly everybody had retired to their homes, a second alarm was given. The fire, smouldering in the roof, had again broken out into flames ; but the Brigade were back in a moment, and a second time flooded the whole premises. Two or three members of the Brigade remained in charge all night, but no further cause of danger was apprehended or occurred. About midnight two arrests were made by the police on suspicion ; and we presume a searching inquiry will be made into the circumstances to-day.

In connection with the above, we have to express our appreciation of the invaluable services rendered by the Fire Brigade, and to tender our thanks to the many friends, and the public generally, for their readiness to render every assistance in saving property. As our formes, cases, presses, everything has been disarranged, we feel sure our subscribers will overlook any shortcomings this morning.