THE DUNEDIN FIRE

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1008, 24 December 1910, Page 6

THE DUNEDIN FIRE

WAS IT RIGHTLY FOUCHT? ADVERSE CRITICISM. (By Telegraph—Press• Association.) Dunotlin, December 23. The fire-fighting methods hero are being adversely criticised. Quite eight minutes elapsed before tho brigade reached the sc«ne after last night's big outbreak, and when it did get there diverted its attention to saving Brydono Hall, which was quite hopeless. Tho inefficiency of tho firo appliances are severely condemned, the hoses being very leaky. Through a wall collapsing, ' John Kiiudson, residing in tho Kaikorai Valley, received injuries to his back, but they aro not serious. John Applegarth, a resident of Kensington, sustained a fractured leg, and an injury to his back. Little, a railway employee was injured on tho head, and ono of his legs was hurt, but ho was able to walk homo. Those in the hospital are doing well. Earliest arrivals on tho scene declare that .the Brydon Hall was ablaze from

end io end. The noise of the fall of tho roof wiis' distinctly hoard at Kensington.- ' Origin Inexplicable. # Included in Chambers and Sou's stock m tho basement were 120 barrels of oil, winch burned with great fury, - defying tho. efforts of tho. firemen for a considerable. time. Tho origin of tho firo is inexplicable, because, though it has been clearly established that it started in the old Skating Kink, no one was working thore, aud there was nothing inflammable* stored .in that .part of .tho premises. Mr. Shortt, Chambers 'and Son's manager,-- who' was-working in the office, says that shortly before nine o clock he heard timbers fall, but went on working till the noises came right overhead. ,Ho then went outside, and was astonished to find tho entire upper part of the building a mass of flame. The. Agricultural Society, lost tho whole of their trophies. Waters, Ritchie, and Co.'s stock was valued at £5000, about £2000 representing their own stock,, 'and £3000 that, of clients. Reynolds and "Co. held a stock of implements and vehicles of. tho value of £2000, and National Electrical and Engineering Co. carried stock valued at £3DDD.' The damage to the theatre and Victoria Ha.]] is a;bout £2000. i " 'fnsurancss. I Tho total insurances on the Brydone Hall are': In the South British Officc, £3100; New Zealand, £1000- Victoria. £1000; Standard, £500; North British, £1000; Queensland,' £400; :total, £7000. The estimated value of the building wa-s • £8000.-- . ■ ■■■■•: Chambers and Son had a policy of £6200 with the Commercial Union. The estimated - value of the stock- was £17,000. Tho National Electrical Company had a total insurance of £2200 in tho National Office. The estimated value oftho stock was £3000. Waters,. Ritchie, and Co. were insured in the London and Lancashire' Office for £1000, in the Alliance Assurance for £1000, in the Queensland for £500, and in the Liverpool, London, and Globo for £1000 (doubtful). Their total insurances' amounted to £3500. Tho value of the stock was £5000. Reynolds and Co. had a total insurance of £1750 in the Queensland office. Tho total damage ■is , estimated at £30,000, of which two-thirds are covered by insurance. Tho coroner .will hold an- inquiry regarding tho origin of tho fire.; Messrs; Bray Bros., Wellington, advise us that tlioir Dunedin branch .was not affected by the firo in the A. and P. Buildings, as stated in yesterday's Press Association telegram from Dunedin. Tho -firm previously occupied offices in tho destroyed building, but . removed pome fivo months ago to tho A.M.P. Building -in a- different part of Dunedin.