About 4.20 on Sunday morning the watchman on the Central Bell tower observed a fire in the direction of the Yangkingpang and reported it as being on the French Bund. This information was incorrect, the watchman's view being interrupted by high buildings intervening, but, fortunately a police call four minutes later put the Fire Brigade on the right track, the fire being at No, 5 Szechuen Rond, a three-storied godown closely adjoined by other godowns, among them that of Messrs, Mackenzie & Ao. The Brigade promptly answered the general alarm, and the Hongkew stand-by company turned out with their motor turn-table escape and the "Fire King." On the arrival of the Brigade it was found that the roof of the godown was seriously involved, part of it having already been burned through. From the premises adjoining, streams of water were poured on to the floor and top floor, a powerful stream from the turn-table escape doing very effective work. Other paratus and hose was taken through the godown and the flames prevented from spreading down to the first second floors, the hose being ally carried up the staircase to top floor. The fire was rapidly woked and extinguished, and was confined to the top floor, the roof being gutted and a portion of the floor burned away. This part of the building, occupied by Mr. E.
contained a number of valu-lo skins and furs, and it was fortunate for the owner that only few days ago the greater part of the stock was shipped. The lower floors were filled with—general merchandise, owned by Chinese and Japanese merchants, and this was damaged by water, the loss in this respect being increased by the ity of snow which fell into ing after the roof had been shed. The snowstorm was at its height during the fire. The sustained by Mr. Kale, imated at Tls. 16,000, is covered insurance with Messrs, Dodwell Ca., (Tls. 25,000 with the Yorkshire, and Tls. 20,000 with the Union Assurance Company). The building is the property of the China Realty Company and is insured with the Vnion Assurance Company for Tle. 16,000, The Chinese cargo is stated to he insured Messrs, Carlowitz Original from of
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.