CONFLAGRATION IN WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7724, 25 March 1904, Page 6

CONFLAGRATION IN WELLINGTON.

Kempthorne and Prosser's Establishment Burnt Out.

Heavy Task for the Firemen.

Heavy Insurances.

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

Wellington, Last Night

A serious lire broke out to-night at Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.'s large drug store. The flames now, at 10 p.m., have complete possession of the building. The brigade are absolutely powerless, and explosions are occurring every few minutes. Many thousands of people are watching. The fire was first discovered by a passer-by, who saw smoke issuing from the windows on the second floor. The building is modern, and one of the finest m the city. It is a four-storied structure with treble street frontage. When the Brigade arrived smoke issued largely through crevices in the windows, and even experienced firemen were confident that a couple of powerful jets would be sufficient to gain the mastery, but the flames juggled ruthlessly with these expectations. The Fire Brigade soon had three jets of water playing on the burning mass inside the building. A quarter of an hour passed with but little change. The spectators, of whom thousands had assembled, failed to see the evidence of progress on the part of the firemen. Inside" the building the trouble was increasing, and as huge columns of smoke continued to belch through the broken windows, it was plain the outbreak had a very stronghold. For a few moments the dark mtenor of the second floor of the huge building was lighted by bright sheets of flame, only to be immediately swallowed up in a dense outpouring of smoke. Then the conflagration was marked by rapid and determined expansion. Quickly the flames crept along the eastern portion of the building, and the magnitude of the brigade's task increased every minute. The Fire Police joined in the fight, and somewhat dimished the strain on the Brigade. Water was poured into the building, but still there was no result. It simply thundered against the sides ot the building, and died away as it mingled with the flames in the inner portion of the packingroom, where it is thought the fire commenced. The persistent crackling of burning timber, and repeated explosions of chemicals, showed unmistakably the onward march of tbe flames. The flames soon burnt through to the third storey. Five thousand people had now assembled, and saw that the building was doomed. The highlyinflammable nature ol the contents drew the flames like a magnet. Time after time great volumes of fire leaped through the shattered windows and laughed at the efforts of the Brigade. A telescopic ladder was placed in position to give the firemen an opportunity of directing the nozzles with greater precision. The

crowd cheered heartily as the helmettopped firemen ascended the ladder until obscured from sight by the smoke, flames, and steam. Despite all efforts, the fire continued to gain the mastery. At midnight the building was gutted. A large quantity of acids are stored m a strong-room, which it is hoped will withstand the onslaught of the flames, but if not a very serious explosion will occur. The damage already is estimated at £40,000 to £50,000.

The insurance on the stock is £28,100, which is distributed as follows .'—lmperial £1000, Law Union and Crown £1000, New Zealand £3500, United £400, Royal Exchange £1750, Liverpool and London and Globe £3000, National £350, Bun £500, Norwich Union £3000, Alliance £2000, Australian Alliance £500, Guardian £2500, Commercial Union £3000, North Queensland £2000, at Lloyds (London) £3600. On the building the insurance is £7000, distributed as follows:—New Zealand £1000, United £350, Royal Exchange £2000, North British and Mercantile £1000, Liverpool and London and Globe £1000, National £1650, part of which is re-insured.