BIG FIRE AT NEWCASTLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2094, 21 January 1908, Page 2

BIG FIRE AT NEWCASTLE.

A WHOLE BLOCK ABLAZE

FOUR MEN INJURED,

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £200,000.

United Press Association—Copyright (Received Jan. 20, 13.31 ji.ni.) NEWCASTLE, Jan. 20.

One of the most disastrous fires in the history ol the town broke out fill's morning in Messrs Cohen and Company's large warehouse, situated in a block of business premises bounded by Scott, Margaret, Hunter, and Woiii'o Streets.

Tho whole block was moro or less damaged, the principal destruction being caused by falling walls. Messrs Cohen’s warehouse was completely gutted, and other premises were severely damaged. Whortling’s Hotel, tho School of Arts, the liinsto Piano warehouse, lie Kangaroo Coupon Company, hr.sker Bros, (tailors), Neves’ furniture warehouse, and Stogga’s (drapers), with a number of others, were slightly damaged. 'The lire had a good hold when it was discovered, and spread with great rapidity. The whole of tho brigades in tho district were eugaded in fighting tho Haines, and by their splendid efforts succeeded in preventing a larger conflagration.

The firo at 11.15 p.m. was well in hand.

The debris blocked the tramway and main railway lilies, and disorganised tho telephone system. Four men we rip injured by the collapsing walls. A rough estimate of tho damage ranges as high as £200,000, but it is understood that the loss is largely covered by insurance.

(Received Jan. 20, 10.20 p.m.)

The origin of tho fire at Messrs Cohens is a mystery. The Jewish firm had closed business since Friday evening.

Tho warehouse was a four-Aoreycd one, and the largest, best-equipped, and most heavily-stocked in the State. The stock was valued at from n hundred to a hundred and twenty thousand pounds. At its height the fire was visible for 20 miles.

. The stock included a large quantity of cartridges stored in the magazine, and when the flames reached them they kept up a feu do joie for half an hour.

Fireman Rasmussen, who came into contact with a live electric wire, was almost electrocuted. Ho was removed to the hospital in a serious condition.

Three men, named Dougherty, Kirchener, and Crandle, were removing property from the School of Arts when tlie large mass of Cohen’s wall collapsed, imprisoning them. They were rescued a quarter of an hour later much cut and bruised, and were taken to the hospital. The debris blocking the railway line prevented the train from convoying tho miners to Lambton Bay pit. which is idle in consequence. Tho lines were cleared after some hours.