FIRE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2386, 10 July 1866, Page 5

FI RE.

DESTRUCTION OF THE THISTLE USES: At an early hour on Sunday morning, the fi«*bell was rung, and many of the citizens sprangfvombed to ascertain where the danger existed^ Ifc was soon discovered that the Thistle Inn, ajt. . Pipitea Point, Thorndon, was in flames. Tfcas fire was discovered shortly after five o'olookljys^ lodger in the house, who saw the gleam of thesflames against his bedroom window, and jumping*.up, at once gave the alarm. Mrs. Cooper, titewife of the proprietor of the Hotel, also made atsimilar discovery about the same time. The xa— mates were at once aroused, and it was then discovered that a shed adjoining the house was fe»« flames, and that the main building was in inane- . diate danger of catching. A few articles of <4°^%* ing, furnitnre and stock were got out of theioasß* " but at that moment little could.be done io ch«3fc the progress of the flames, and ere the engines arrived, the whole building was one gbwinje JKaweff fire. Thefirst engine on the BpQt.wae theNbriaaH^ - under the command of Captain Moss, and thoe» belonging to the New Zealand and Liverpool anffl London Companies soon followed. It 'vraft^cbaafi, ; low water, and when the engines were taken ikfWHi.

■tteGte «ea, the hose was found to beofinsußcien Sfcßwfch, «s Terr little could b& done at onca to -«Kfeiguißh the flre. Of course, a single engine -was not sufficient in power to send the water up mfth. the heceaaary force; but we think that if tiks strongest of the engines had been taktta to S&e water's edge, and the others arranged .as. a Jine fit equal distances, a pretty good - cdfream of water would havo been brought to bear <sjathc burning house. Buckets, however, were in '■jequisitioii.nnrt water was poured on while sheets alinm tind wet blankets were had in requisition v&vsave the adjoining buildings from the shower •a? sparks that' fell in all directions. By pulling i&jwu- a few sheds, the stables occupied by Mr. aPa-sms were saved, but everything about the jfard was destroyed. Fortunately there was scarcely any wind and -&f the exertions of the Brigade, aided by some of •'•Sfee persons present, the . adjoining hpKSO3 wore 4sayed. After a time the hose was got into workVing operation and a stream of water directed on ■SSie burning mass. Towards half-past six o'clock, €kv> flames were partially extinguished. Members <of the Brigade did what was possible under the .-serciMiistances, and Mr. Nathan, of Messrs. Jacob .Joseph & Co., supplied a pninp and hand buckets 'Strom his store, but we have no hesitation in saying, Skat had there been a strong breozo, the destruc:&on. of property would have been very serious. 'We understand that the building was insured in g&o Liverpool; London and Globe Office for £1000, -iand the contents for £400.