DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN NELSON.

West Coast Times, Issue 668, 14 November 1867, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN NELSON.

UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA TOTALLY DESTROYED. (PBOai THE WELLINGTON' EVENING POST, NOVEMBER 8.) We are indebted to the courtesy of G. Eliott Eliott, Esq., for the following telegram, which had been forwarded to the Postmaster-General, and which he kindly permitted us to copy :—: — A most terrific fire occurred last evening in this town, entirely destroying nine business premises, including the Union Bank _of Australia, and many valuable outbuildings. * Just as the town clock struck eight the fire-bell commenced ringing furiously. There was scarcely time to make inquiry as to the whereabouts of the fire before suddenly a considerable portion of the town was brilliantly lighted up. This arose from flames issuing through the roof of Tremble's Hotel, situated at tho corner of Trafalgar and Hardy streets. The fire occurred so suddenly, and made such rapid progress that little or nothing *was saved. The Fire Brigade, who were quickly on the spot, saw at once it would be useless attempting to save the hotel, but directed their efforts to prevent the spreading of the fire. Their utmost efforts, however, were entirely futile, for in Trafalgar street, Joseph's hair-cutting saloon and tobacconist's shop was soon in flames, while the private portion of the Bank Hotel premises in Hardy street had likewise caught. Thus the strength of the Brigade was divided ; the small engine was left to Trafalgar street, while the large engine directed its efforts to save the Bank Hotel premises. The fire, however, had soon made such headway in the latter premises that it was deemed prudent to let it exhaust itself, people resting pretty confident that it could not spread further in that direction, there being a roadway some fourteen feet wide, and then the brick wall of the Bank would certainly resist the flames. Upon this the combined strength of the Brigade was brought to bear upon the premises in Trafalgar street ; the flames, however, defied their utmost endeavors. Joseph's was consumed, Milner's the draper ; John's confectioner ; Barnes' draper ; Phillip's, grocer ; Eentrol's, grocer ; and Black, Campbell, and Black, one after the other with the greatest rapidity. Then arose the cry of the Bank's on fire, and it was but too true, for although the walls are built of brick, and the roof of slates, strange to say the copings and cornices were of wood. Unable to withstand the intense heat, they soon caught, and quickly communicating with the interior of the building, entirely gutted it. Although the manager's residence sustained considerable damage, it has escaped the flames. In Trafalgar street, Black, Campbell,and Black's premises burnt furiously. The flames were here, also, opposed by brick walls, and the slated roof Messrs Buxton and Co's premises, but in this case the cornices were of stone, and, although the heat was most intense, the building escaped with little or no damage. All the sufferers, with the exception of Mr Joseph, were wholly, or partially insured, the latter, we regret to say, lost his all. The origin of the fire is at present unknown. The rough estimation of the loss is L 35.000. Messrs Bethune and Hunter this afternoon received a telegram stating the following to be the losses the different Insurance offices have sustained : — Imperial £8000 Liverpool and London 7000 N.Z. Insurance Co. ... 3500 Victoria 2600 Lancashire 1600