A serious conflagration broke out at about 4c'lock yesterday afternoon in the Ching Chang hutch factory, on the Singkeipang Creek. The fie originated in the dipping room and was caused by one of the workpeople treading on some loose matches. Owing to the inflammable nature of the surroundings the flames spread with almost inconceivable rapidity and in a few minutes the whole building was in flames. The fire brigade showed their usual promptitude in turning out, but owing to the lack of hydrants in the vicinity it was some time before they got to work. 'Two hand pumps belonging to the factory had been got to work to pump water on the burning buildings from some small fire-wells in the' compound, but their feeble efforts made no impression on the flames. Eventually the Hongkews and Victorias sent for their én-gines and on these arriving they were at once got to work to pump water from the Singkeipang Creek. In the meantime the fire had spread to a number of native dwellings adjoining the factory, and it was only by the most strenuous efforts that the flames were held in check. Towards six o'clock the conflagration had almost spent itself and began to yield to the volumes of water thrown on it and by seven o'clock all danger of its further spreading was over. The total amount of damage done is not yet known, but the building in which the fire originated, together with 45 native houses, was totally destroyed. The houses were all inhabited. by match: box makers, to the number of about 400, all of whom are thrown out of employment for the time being. The factory was insured for Tls. 30,000, which is only a partial loss, and the houses destroyed for about Tls. 3,000.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.