Dawace $70,000.
In the early hours of yesterday morning 4 fire ocourred in Keouedytown, which before ite ravages were checked hind resulted in damage to the extent of about $70,000.
1am, the alarm was raised at No, 22, Holland Street, and the Police were prompt ly informed of the outbreak, The local telegraphed to headquarters and us ily ay might be the Brigade, under Tuspector Mathieson and Me. J Kinghorn, turned out to the conflagration, On their arrival they found that the flames had obtained " comnunding hold on the pre-which were v and filled At first the ere connected with the fresh water hydranta, but, owing to the well-known scarcity and probably to an indifferent pressure (the police are reticent on the joint), the inexhaustible supply available In the harbour was soon requisitioned and when this had been satisfactorily obtained the fresh water was disconnected. The fire burned with great fierceness for several hours, though, strange to sny, large crowds were not. present existence of an alarming conflagration does not appear to have been generally know About 4 o'clock the unremitting energy of the Brigade were rewarded by discovering that " good hold had been obtained over the fire and their attention was then directed, with success, to the protection of adjoining buildings. The premises ut No. 22, however, were totally destroyed wh No. 21 did vot escape altogether unscathed, the roof and upper floors being considerably damaged, The ruined building shouldered the whole of yesterday and waver had to be played upon the debris from time to time, It appeara that a watchman on the premi was the first to give the alarm, being awakened by the "moke. He attempted at firat to combat the element himself, but it seems that thad already gotaome hold, and, having awakened two other men al above, who managed to effect their escape, he communicated the news to the police tated. It is surmised that some who on the previous evening were engaged in taking in rice, must have care: lestly left the burning end of a cigarette one of the rooihe of lite ground flom, where the fire originated. The total damage done amounts to about $70,000. The stock was insured by an office fur which Messrs, Carlowitz & Ca. are the agents for $30,000, and the building by the Hongkong Fire Insurance Ca. for $10,000. An enquiry into the circumstances of the occurrence will be held on Friday afternoon at 2.15 at the Magistracy.—Daily Press, 23ed March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.