FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 180, 27 February 1868, Page 2

FIRE AND LOSS OF LIFE IN CHRISTCHURCH.

{From the Canterlunj Times, Feb. 15.) Last night week, about fifteen minutes to 12, a fire broke out in an empty shop, in Colombo-street, nearly opposite the Post-office, and in close proximity to the Victorian, "Wellington, and Market Hotels. When first observed, a dense body of smoke was issuing from the upper part of the building,butwithin a very few moments after the alarm was given, flames issued from the widows and doors simultaneously. The central position of the premises soon caused a large crowd to collect, and attention was at once turned to removing stock from the adjoining premises. Mrs Pope's was first entered for this purpose, being nest to the burning shop, and containing by far the most valuable property of the buildings nearest the fire. Help being plentiful, the opposite side of the road soon became crowded with moveables, but no recognised leader being present, considerable unnecessary damage was done. By this time the shop first seen to be on fire was one mass of flames, and the premises on each side had become ignited, although a light wind blowing from the city side prevented the fire from spreading much in that direction. Five minutes had now elapsed from the time of the first alarm, and the fire engine was anxiously looked for. After a little more delay, fortunately it made its appearance, but it was fully eight minutes from the time of its arrival before the first jet of water was thrown on to the blazing pile. Part of this delay was occasioned by the twisting of the hose, but still a "much longer delay took place than necessary. The hand engine was the first oh the spot, and was at once taken to the river bank, a little above Colombobridge- During all this time, the work of removal had been going on on both sides of the fire, the hook and ladder brigade being of service in getting things out of the upper room of Money's Hotel, on the roof of

which wot blankets had been placed A small building between Mrs Pope's and the hotel was dragged bodily away, leaving a large gap between the two buildings. On the other side of the fire, similar precautions had been taken, and as soon as the water began to play on the fire it was evident that all danger of spreading further was removed. At this time there were, in all, four shops enveloped in tho flames and totally destroyed, Mrs Pope's although still standing, being so seriously burnt as to render repairs impossible Tho steam fire online did not get into play until tho fire was -completely mastered, but the strong of water it threw soon put the finishing touch on the flames. So far, all was going well, and those present were beginning to congratulate themselves on the comparative ease with which the danger had been overcome. This feeling, however, soon gave place to o;ie of anxiety and dread as it became whispered about that a man, known to have gone to bed in one of the houses destroyed, was missing. The fire being now almost out, all the jets were brought to play upon the spot indicated, and as soon it was safe to do so, the debris were examined. From the first a hope had been entertained that the man had iescaped and would turn up alive, but, uufortunately before the search amongst the smoking ruins had proceeded far, the charred remains of a human being were discovered. Of ■course, all recognition, except by the rags adhering to it, was impossible, but from these the body was soon iilentified with as much certainty as possible under these circumstances, to be that of a man named John Rankin, about 50 years of age. The remains were lying face upwards, on the first floor immediately beneath and paralell with the window of the bedroom, from which the unfortunate man was probably attempting to escape. The re'mains were at once taken possession •of by the police, and conveyed to the Fire Brigade Slation, there to remain until an inquest bo held over them. 'This melancholy catastrope, added to the destruction of property, cast a ;greater gloom than usual over those present. The Brigade continued to play upon the ruins for some time after the fire was apparently out and ■every precaution was taken to prevent it breaking out afresh. Capt. Wilson, •conveyed;! in a Hansom cab, was on the spot at an early period of the fire, • and lost no time in placing his jet men in the most commanding positions. 'One was stationed on each flank, with •one also in front, and in twenty minutes from its first discovery, the fire was reduced to safe bounds. A large number of the volunteers and dire police were on the spot, but there seemed to be a lack of discipline :amongst them, and their endeavors to lend assistance were greatly neutralised for want of a recognised leader. Commissioner Shearman, Inspector Pender, and about twenty constables were present ; and amongst others we noticed Mr J. L. Hall as very conspicuous in his efforts to extinguish the fire. The number of shops actually destroyed is four, viz., Mrs Pope's fancy repository, Swale and Rankin's, grocers ■(where the fire originated; empty shop formerly occupied by Mr Cass, butcher; and a small shop, without back premises, ■occupied by J. Clark, shoemaker. The two first shops belonging to Mr Walton, • and neither was insured The two latter shops belonging to Mr Stewart, and they were also uninsured. Mrs Pope was insured for her stock in the Royal for £6OO, and in the New Zealand for £ 150, and Messrs Swale and Rankin, for £4OO, in the Giobe. In addition to these destroyed by fire, there was a building pulled down belonging to Mr Money, and used as a store for wine and spirits. It was only a small one, however, and Mr Money estimates his damage together with the loss incurred in removing stock, and with the water thrown into the hotel at £IOO. In addition to these, the only urther damage clone is to the sign-board of Whelan's stables, and at the Wellington Hotel, which was a little scorched, and had some water thrown into several of the rooms. The frontage occupied by the buildings actually destroyed is about 60 feet, and as some of them were very small, we should calculate that not more than £6OO would be required to replace the whole.