Sifting the Ashes - The Great Fire of Lyttelton 1870
The Great Fire of Lyttelton occurred 150 years ago on 24 October 1870, when a fire started behind the Queen's Hotel on the corner of Oxford and London Streets.
The fire spread quickly despite the desperate efforts of the local fire brigade, destroying the greater part of the township's commercial area.
This exhibition will cover the origins and progress of the fire, the attempts to control it (including contemporary fire-fighting methods), and the aftermath of the fire as the damage and losses were assessed and the town rebuilt.
It will showcase the primary sources from Christchurch City Libraries which were accessed to research this exhibition.
Library opening hours
- Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
- Saturday 10am to 1pm
- Closed public holidays
Photo reference: Illustrated Press, held at Tūranga (Central Library)
The fire spread quickly despite the desperate efforts of the local fire brigade, destroying the greater part of the township's commercial area.
This exhibition will cover the origins and progress of the fire, the attempts to control it (including contemporary fire-fighting methods), and the aftermath of the fire as the damage and losses were assessed and the town rebuilt.
It will showcase the primary sources from Christchurch City Libraries which were accessed to research this exhibition.
Library opening hours
- Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
- Saturday 10am to 1pm
- Closed public holidays
Photo reference: Illustrated Press, held at Tūranga (Central Library)
Lyttelton Library, 18 Canterbury Street, Lyttelton
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