Adelaide General Post Office - Adelaide - SA - Australia - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

FIRE ATGENERAL POST OFFICE
The people of Adelaide had a scare on Wednesday evening, when the news spread that there was a fire at the general post office. It is not often that fires occur at an hour when assistance can be readily secured; bat the one on Wednesday was an exception, as the first alarm was given a little after six o'clock, just as the offices were closed. A girl, Lizzie Martin, a servant in the house of the Office-keeper, Mr Witherick was the first to give the alarm. The girl, walking along the basement went to the room of Mr Uobetraun the telegraph instrument fitter, when she found it fall of smoke. The alarm was given to the police by Mrs Witherick. The Superintendent of Fire-Brigades was sent for, as telephonic communication is not yet completed with his residence. We append the following particulars from the register's report of the proceedings " Inspectors Hunt and Sullivan, organised the police Force admirably, and before the crowd could throng the yard they had posted constables at the entrances to keep the place clear for the firemen, the officials, and representatives of the Press.
The Commissioner of Police was at once telephoned for, but could hot arrive until the fire had been subdued, the work went on so briskly. The Post-Office employees, with the Postmaster-General at their bead, and the officials connected with the other departments which have offices in the building, were busily engaged in removing the mails and telegrams, with important documents and some furniture, lot be Police yard adjoining, and all worked systematically and rapidly, so that even if the-whole structure had been levelled the loss, apart from the value of the building and that of its furniture, would bare been trifling. There was very little excitement, but well-directed effort on the part of the workers both as firemen and rescuers of property, and the organizing was so complete and so through that it could scarcely hare been better if no fire was raging. Whilst the excitement oat side was at its height the Minister, of Education, Mr Hartley, Mr Heath, and other heads of departments arrived, and added their directions and personal exertions to the rest. With commendable presence of mind, when- the first, was known of the fire, one 0f the officials turned the gas off from the main and - others rushed to the stores and purchased candles to throw 'some light upon the lower rooms, which were almost from the first full of dense smoke. The crowd outside were continually Increasing till 9 o'clock a few inmates before which hoar .the fire had been mastered, and all danger of its renewing its strength, «o far .as could be seen, averted. It was not till near that time that the exact location of the ; conflagration could be ascertained. When it was once found the .flames were quickly extinguished." Fortunately, however, the fire was confined below, and after all more damage has been done by water than by fire. Mr Todd acted with commendable I forethought all through. He despatched ; messengers with -the telegraph work to the railway station, and. for fear that the fire should extend to the upper' rooms, communicated with the Mayor in order to obtain the Use of the Town Hall for Post Office and Telegraph work. -In consequence of-his action the buisiness of the telegraph office was scarcely interrupted.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 01/06/1883 Publication: Wallaroo Times Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: regional News Category: Business/Finance

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