FIRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2614, 23 September 1909, Page 5

FIRE.

BIG OUTBREAK IN WELLINGTON. TPer Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. About half-past 2 this morning a fire broke out in the upper portion of a four-storey brick building in Victoria street, at the rear of the Opera House, and facing the Town Hall.) A strong southerly wind was blowing, and the flames spread rapidly, despite the fine pressure of water. The brigade found that working the hose from the ground was quite ineffectual. A fire escape was brought into requisition, and three men were sent up it. These held the hose and poured a great quantity of water on to the seat of the fire. Other members of the brigade attacked the flames from the rear of the building, and in about three-quarters of an hour the fire was under, control, the flames being confined to the second and top storey. The building was owned by Mr J. M. Richardson, and occupied by the Palmer Engineering Company, Van Staveren Bros., fancy goods merchants, S. and G;- Anderson and Co., indent agents, Hooper and Harrison, agents, and Mayers’ shirt factory. The plant and stock in the latter establishment were destroyed, and stock in other parts of the building damaged by water. The building was insured in the Phoenix office for £SOOO, and in the Norwich Union office for £2OOO. Following were the insurances: Palmers Engineering Company, £4OOO, in the Standard: Van Staveren Bros., £2OOO in the Yorkshire, £ISOO in the Royal Exchange, £ISOO in the Atlas; Mayers shirt factory, £4OO in the New Zealand Insurance Company; Hooper and Harrison. woollen merchants, stock LOoOO, as follows: United £SOOO, State £2ooo, Norwich Union £2OOO.