THE LATE FIRE.

Inangahua Times, 23 January 1880, Page 2

THE LATE FIRE.

„_— «. ■ Whatever may have been the prevailing opinion before the late fire as to the utility of the recently purchased engine and «he lately formed Fire Brigade, it may be safely said people are now unani mous that had it not been for the presence of each on the late occasion Eeefton would have sustained a very much greater disaster ; indeed, it is almost impossible to predict where the fire would have endi-d had it not been for the services of the engine, the brigade, and public. The fact that a fire should have obtained a firm hold in one of the chief blocks of the town and I een extinguished so ex« I editiously, and with such comparatively little loss is hardly less than miraculous. As to the beginning of the fire, and those to wliom the credit of the first alarm is due there appears to be a good deal of contention, but so far as we can learn the night-watchman was the first, probably outside the occupant of Mr Qutgley's hotel, who realised the danger. He had been going his regular rounds in company with Constable Scully, and had only parted with the latter a few seconds when he saw the reflection of the fire. Heat once ran to the engine room, and was the first to ring the bell, remaining in the beh fry until relieved by Mr Franks, of the Telegraph Office. The watchman then descended, and with the assistance of three or four porsons ran the engine out to the well, when other firemen shortly afterwards began to arrive, and the work of running out and coupling both lines of hose was carried out, Constable Scully, who was in the vicinity of the police camp when tee first alarm was given, rushed to the police camp and aroused the inmates, and then ran to the scene of the fire. While all this had been happening, the occupants of Mr Quigley's hotel had been aroused by the noise of the fire, and escaped as hurriedly as possible. Although the engine was got out and under away with remarkable promptitude the fire had obtained a firm hold of the rear of Mr Quigley's premises before the branches got into play. As the fire broke out at the rear, it seem* a pity that at least one line of bose was not taken round to operate from the Strand, as had this been done there seems cood reason to suppose that the fire would have been got under much earlier than it was, but it may be reasonably said it is very well to see these things after the occurrence h over, and we simply mention the circumstance as one to be remembered upon future occasions, There was a strong wind blowing to the westward at the time, and this fact no doubt fended to ward off the flames from Twohill's FTotel, and turned the danger in the direction of the Times Office, and the Club Hotel. However, a large staff* of volunteers were in the neighbourhood with buckets of wat§r, and refcly to operate should any real danger arise, but it fortunately did not, and within half or threequarters of an hour of the outbreak all real danger of the fire spreading was at end. On one occasion when the fire was at its height v murmur ran through the crowd that the supply of water had given out, which fact the feeble streams momentarily thrown by the branches seemed to confirm, but it turned out that the suction hose had mearly got dislodged from the well, and consequently clogged with mud, but Mr J. Ching, who at once anticipated the cause, plunged wast»deep into the creek and quickly righted matters, when no further hitch occurred. Messrs M. Dunn, and William Gardner (County Engineer) had command of the two branches, and stuck to there posts manfully, while Cap* tain Coilings, Lieutenant Hogg, and Foreman Eichardson, had the general direction of operations, and each and all did all that could possibly be done in their respective capacities. Amongst those who made themselves conspicuous in the saving of property were — Messrs E. Paine, J. Saunders, T. and W. William 0 , Quigley, E. Roulston, D. Stewart, C. M'Donogh, J. Heslop, J. Walsh, and a host of others whom it is impossible to recollect at the moment. Mr Quigley's premises was completely reduced to ashes, and as there was not a sixpence of insure ance on either the building, stock, or furniture, his loss is a total one, and has elicited much sympathy, and which we are glad to learn is likely to take a practical shape. Mr Shaw's loss was covered by a policy of £1000 upon the stock, building, and contents, and was fortunate in saving a considerable quantity of goods. Mr Kater was insured to the extent of £850 upon the stock and building, and also managed to rescue some property. Mr M'Gillicuddy was insured to the extent of £150, but though his stock was partially saved, the building was irreparably injured,

The following are the particulars of ihe insurances : — W. J. Shaw—Stock value £1800, res> cued £400. Insurances : Victoria, £400 ; New Zealand, £200 ; Imperial, £200 : Premises and furniture (— ) £220 To'al, £1020. A. KaJer— Total y^ue of stork, £900 ; (no estimate of stock saved.) Insurances : Victoria, £200 ; Standard, £200 ; Northern, £200; South British (on pre.nises), £250. Total, £850. J. M'Gillicuddy— lmperial, £150.