FIRE IN SYDNEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1682, 24 February 1906, Page 2

FIRE IN SYDNEY.

By telegraph, Press Ass’n, Copyright Sydney, Feb. 23. Mackenzie’s yards were completely gutted. The Austral Box Company’s factory adjoining was also destroyed. During the height of the fire a atrong southerly wind sprang up. The scene of the outbreak adjoins Allen. Taylor’s large timber yards, and is surrounded by a number of other ya'ds. Several vessels were also lyiog at the wharves in (he vicinity. There was every indication of a disastrous conflagration, but the brigades, who turned out in full force, assisted by a largo detachment of bluejackets from various warships, succeeded after a desperate fight in confining the fire to the two premisss destroyed, effeoting a splendid cave. Considerable danger was experienced ia get; ting vessels mooted at wharves out of the fire zone into the stream, the fire burning with tremendous fierceness. A falling stack of timber smashed a stand pipe and interfered Bomewhat with the watersupply. The fire was a splendid spectacle, the Bky being lit for miles around the oity. An immense orowd congregated. The damage is estimated in the vic'nity of £30,000, and is partially covered by inauranoe. Though the fire was prevented from getting a hold of Taylor’s yard, the timber and fittings there were damaged by the heat t 3 the extent of £ISOO. THE LOSSES. Byj telegraph, Press ABs’n, Copyright Reoeived 10.20 p.m., Feb. 23. Sydney, Feb. 23. Tbo Austral Timber Company estimates the losses at from eight to tea thousand pounds. The stock of timber consumed I was mostly New Zealand white pioe, which totalled a million and a half fest. The insurances wore : Austral Timber Company’s stock, £SOOO, in the New Zealand office; Allen Taylor, £3500, National and New Zealand; McKenzie, £15,100, including £5750 in the New Zealand and £2500 in the South British.