The promises on the French Bund occupied by the Mitsu Bishi Steam-ship Ca. were burned down yesterday morning. The fire-bell rany out the alarm about 6 a.m,; and. the several Companies of the Fire Brigade were quickly on the spot, and ina very short time twelve streams of water were brought to bear upon the bamning building. The men-of-war in harbour also landed detachments with great promptitude, who were active in saving merchandize and such moveable could be got at. Nearly all the office furniture, safes and books were Uns saved. The flames spread, however, with great rapidity, and in an incredibly short tin the whole building wasablaze. The efforts of the firemen were groatly directed to saving the adjoining premises of the Mes-sagenes Maritimes Company, in. whose godowns some 370 bales of.silk were stored; and their efforts weresuccessfnl. The danger at one time seemed imminent that these also would catch, and the heat was 80 great that several windows were broken.—By Sam. the fire was so far got under that all danger of its spreading was pi but the buildings in which it originated were destroyed—with the exception of one room, which seems to have escaped almost intact. A bedstead standing in it was apparently uninjured, and a small dog was found under it' none the worse for his adventure; though he was so thoroughly frightened' that it was with some difficulty he was persuaded to leave his post.
The origin of the fire has not, so far as we can learn, been ascertained; but we are informed that a smell of burning wood ved about 3 a.m, and our informant went round the godowns und his charge, but could not ascertain whence it came. Several streams of water were kept playing upon the ruins till late in the day, to secure the complete extinction of the ombers, and prevent a fresh outbreak, Phe accident does not involve a heavy loss to the Insurance Companies
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.