FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 104, 25 May 1880, Page 2

FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

(by telegraph.) Dunedin, May 24

Shortly after 11 o’clock a fire broke out in a building in Hanover street. The fire had apparently obtained a powerful hold before it was seen, and wood being principally employed in the building’s construction, the fire obtained almost a complete mastery for a time. The place was completely gutted. A brick wall was between it and the adjoining shop, occupied by Mr. Hale, picture framer, so that his premises escaped entirely. Regarding its origin the fire may be best described as a mystery, but there are one or two somewhat singular circumstances about the alfair. The building is a two-storeyed one of six rooms. It was in the occupation of John Pattingson (known in connection with the firm of Armstrong and Pattingson, labor agents), whoso wife carried on a millinery business. He and his wife left the place a few minutes before the fire broke out, and were understood to have left Dunedin by the 11. p.m. South train. Pattingson was a tenant only, and had his stock insured recently in the Transatlantic office for Ll5O. Those who first got an entrance to the shop state they looked about for property to save, but could find nothing except a few books. It is not certain in which part of the building the flames originated, front or back, but they certainly spread with surprising rapidity. Pattingson did not return to discover the fate of his premises when the alarm rang. The owner of the building is Henry Hawker, a resident of Balclutha, who has an insurance of either L3OO or L4OO in the standard. The police are endeavoring to solve the mystery as to the origin.