The fire that destroyed Lyttelton

So fierce was the fire in Lyttelton on October 24, 1870, that the red sky could be seen for hundreds of miles.
About 10am, a small fire started in the store room of the Queen’s hotel. It was noticed by a group of billiards players who raised the alarm.
A determined effort was made to put it out but the fire was firmly in control.
Wind began to push the fire on, first to a nearby empty house, then it jumped the street ravaging through buildings. The Lyttelton Times office was destroyed, onwards through the Bank of New Zealand office and any house in the way.
Lyttelton had no fire brigade of its own, only a small group of volunteers with minimal equipment.
Along with them residents tackled the fire, attempts were made to stop it by pulling down houses to create a break, but the fire was too wild.
Prisoners were even released from the prison to help fight the inferno.
The Canterbury Hotel fell as the fire continued through the town.
The telegraph office went too. Word had got out but now communication was cut off.
Fortunately the fire engine from Christchurch had arrived and was hard at work.
It moved so fast that children were snatched from their beds, and people gathered, many in nightclothes, and were sent to the Colonists Hall or to the SS Taranaki who took anyone seeking refuge.
Within five hours most of the commercial area of Lyttelton had been wiped out.
And more than 15 hours later the fire was under control. Forty one homes and businesses were gone.
To this day, no one knows how the fire started. It was estimated two thirds of the business centre of Lyttelton was destroyed.
Food had to be sent from Christchurch to feed those displaced by the fire.
Originally it was thought no one had died in the fire and even today that is not confirmed. But a sailor called Johnston - seen only shortly before the fire - was never seen again and no sign of him found.
Lyttelton’s mayor - John Smith Willcox - who had only just taken on the job in 1868 - was unable to continue as his own business - cabinet making was also burned to the ground.
He had been born in Birmingham, England to William and Ann. He was found dead in his chair at his business on October 29, 1880.
He is buried in the Lyttelton Anglican Cemetery.
Pic from Te Papa’s collection.​