Unidentified newspaper clip, 23^rd January 1897

Fire At A Furniture Warehouse.—About half-past eleven on Saturday night Mr. Geo. Ellis' furniture warehouse in Queen-street, was found to be on fire. Mrs. C. Brown and others who live close by heard a crackling noise, and on going outside found the goods in the basement of Mr. Ellis' warehouse in flames. An alarm was raised, and P.C.'s Searle, Wallis, and Riseley, under P.S. Birrill, were quickly on the spot. A messenger was also dispatched to Fireman H. Seckington, and he with Mr Claud Green were soon on the spot with the hose-cart. Prior to the arrival of the Fire Brigade, Mr. C. Brown, together with his daughters, did all they could to check the progress of the fire by applying buckets of water. The fire, it was found, had originated amongst some upholstery and other material, and was raging furiously. It was found necessary to remove the furniture from the first floor, and also from Messrs. Sharman and Archer'€™s offices adjoining. After the police and others had worked hard for an hour and a half the fire was extinguished. The real cause of the fire is unknown, but by some it is attributed to spontaneous combustion, or a match might have been dropped in an open window of the basement by a passer by. Considerable damage resulted, but the whole is covered by insurance.