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CORONER'S INQUESTS.
FIRE IN HINDLEY STREET.
[Un..Monday, August; 13, Mi*. T. Ward,
j]P;, Gity Coroner, JheTd an inquest at the City
Hotel, Hindley-street, into., the origin of a fire
which occurred on the premises of Mr. J.
Fahy, bootmaker, Hindley-street, on Friday
morning, August 10. Mr. Wm; Whitlock, was
chosen Foreman of . the Jury. John Fahy,
bootmaker, Hindley-street, said—About 2
o'clock on Friday morning I was awakened by a
glare of light shining into the bedroonf. Jumped
out of bed and attempted to go into the shop,
but was prevented by the smoke. Ban out un
dressed and called Mr. Dixon, but could not
make him hear. Then went to Tingey's,
on the other side of my shop. Beturned
to Dixon, who had meanwhile come out
undressed. Told him that there was a
fire in my shop, and asked him to call the
police. Then took my children out of my house
to Mr. Dixon's. By this time the police had
arrived, and commenced to throw water on the
fire with buckets. Assisted in the work by
lighting them to the shop through the house.
On the night previous to the fire 1 went to bed
about 11 o'clock, after seeing that all was safe
in the shop. My wife was at Brighton. Was
last in the shop about half-past 10. The gas
was turned off at the meter at 10 o'clock. The
stock and fixtures are insured in the Equitable
Insurance Company for £200. Can give no
opinion as to the origin of the fire, but think
that it commenced under the table in the centre
of the shop. Under the table there were baskets
and doormats, and on the top more baskets and
crockery. Had a candle burning in the shop after
the gas was turned off, but put it out before
going to bed. Consider that the stock was worth
£-250. The house contains five rooms. By Mr.
Abrahams, who represented the Equitable in
surance Company—I keep no Chinese crackers
or fireworks whatever. In addition to myself
there were only three children in the house.
The matches in the shop were not ignited. The
police were on the spot in less than half-an
bour after the discovery of the fire. During the
time that elapsed the fire had become very much
fiercer. Police-Constable Miller said—A little
after 2 o'clock on Friday morning I heard Dixon
call" fire." Went immediately to Fahy's and
saw flames on the floor in the centre of the
shop. Trooper Brown came and assisted
in putting the fire out. We both got into the
shops. If we had been there ten minutes sooner
the fire might have been put out easily. While
carrying in water to the shop the fire got up to
the roof. Went for the reel at West-terrace.
Two persons and myself brought the reel down
without waiting to put the horse in. The reel
commenced playing on the roof about half-past
2. Trooper Alf. Brown said—Whilst P.C.
Miller was away for the reel I went on the roof,
broke away some slates, and poured water down
on the fire to prevent it spreading to the next
house. While up on the' roof P.C. J. Miller
returned from the Police- station, and assisted me
until the reel came, when the hose was passed to
us, and we put the fire out in a few minutes.
Thomas Dixon, bootmaker, said—On Friday
morning, about 2 o'clock, I heard a cry of fire.
Looked in at Fahy's shop and saw that it was
on fire about the centre. Called out fire, and
ran fcr the police, who came up and exerted
themselves well. P.O. Thomas McNamara said
—On Friday morning about 2.15 my attention
was called to a fire at Fahy's by P.C. J. Miller.
Ban to the shop and saw the ceiling on fire.
Several constables and Fahy were present. Had
previously passed Fahy's shop on duty about
1.45, wheu there were no indications of fire.
James Wedlock, in charge of No. 2 reel, said—
When I arrived the fire was all between the
ceiling and the roof. The Coroner having
summed up, the Jury returned a verdict that
thpre was no evidence to show how the fire
originated, and that they wished to commend
Trooper Alf. Brown and Constables C. A. and
J. M. Miller for their energy and activity in
endeavoring to extinguish the fire.
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