On Sunday croning a fire of a particularly destructive nature occurred in the godown of Messrs, Jardine, Mathewon & Ca., Peking Road, which was entirely gutted. The alarm was given at about 6.40 pan. and a few minutes after saw firemen hurrying from all. quarters. Some Dluejackeix of the Bonaven'ure, who were taking an airing in the Gardens, rushed up to where the blaze was seen and helped to rescue some ponies, the alleged caretakers being only tuo anxious to save Shit own goods and chattels. When t ire Brignde came along, all of them commendable promptitude, it was seen that the job was a serious one, The building concerned was a one-storey al about 80 yards long, stored principally with silk, cocoons, pieces goods, soap, and wi and liquors.
Tt was a dirty and unsatisfactory fire from a. fireman's point of view, but the local fire fighters worked splendidly. Despite hent and smoke they fought hopeless bn'tle and in their efforts they were ably helped by the bluejackets and officers of HIM. ships Bonavenjure and Peacoc) A tribute of praise is due to the captain of the Russian warship Koréetz, who sent, with two officers, a party of 26 men, together with hose, pumps, and other fire extinguishing appliances. "The tire itself was of such s nature that the firemen could do little with it, 'The flames caught the scaffolding of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson's new premises, but the French Company attended to this and also s catch on the roof of Messrs. Sassoon's servants' quarters, The fre in the godown blazed fir over an hour, and there were dull explosions, and one particularly lurid flame that shot' up and as quickly vanished, which indicated the loss of a stock of whisky.
The two fire floats were on hand during the fire, but were not called into play.
After over an hour's hard and fatigue work the fire was subdued, thous! shouldered long after, and the western wall of the building showed a decided clination to fall out. Altogether it matter of blinding smoke and steam, fire fighters descry plucky and self-sacrificing efforts.
sector Matheson had charge of the and the splendid control of the crowd, that would otherwise have seriously impeded the firemen, is to be commended.
The godown had' been entirely closed ce Ss and the fire mast for some time before it Some thirty-tive years the godown now destroyed was the Lyceum Theatre, after which it was oe-ubied by the short: lived firm of Arch-l. Campbell & Ca., and then by Messrs. Re & Ca.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.