A WELLINGTON BLAZE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2198, 23 May 1908, Page 2

A WELLINGTON BLAZE.

POST OFFICE BLOCK ON FIRE. COOLNESS OF TELEGRAPH OPERATORS. FIRE BRIGADE’S DESPERATE FIGHT. (From Our Special Representative.) WELLINGTON, May 22. A big lire is raging in tho Post Office block, just behind tiic Post and Telegraph Office. I have made "lily way into tho main office through dense smoke and sheets of Hying.iron. If the wind freshens the Post and Telegraph Office will be in danger. Flames are now breaking out behind the main brick wall. The public office is full of smoke. Later. I am writing this message in semidarkness in the public office by tho courtesy of the Secretary of the G.P.O. When I sent the previous message tho office was in great danger, but tho brigade got leads on to die fourth storey by a. telescope ladder, and this, together with tho brick wall and fire-proof doors, saved die G.P.O. , , , The lie ad officials of both the X ost and the Telegraph Departments were 011 the spot, and perfect order prevailed. Important bocks and papers wore 'ot ready to bo taken out of tho miiding, but this was not necessary. Operators stuck to their instruments to the last minute, and, m fact, did not leave until, the smoko became so dense as to bo suffocating. The fire brigade fought the hro with great bravery-, and were repeatedly cheered by large crowds assembled. „ ~ ~~ ~ • The Secretary of the G_.l -U. informs mo ho hoiias to connect up later, and Wellington citmens wall get their letters at 8 o’clock to-morrow as if nothing had happened. Meantime the office is closed to tue public.