BIG DUNEDIN FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1453, 30 May 1912, Page 5

BIG DUNEDIN FIRE.

LADDER WITH FIREMEN COLLAPSES (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Dunedin, May 21. A destructive fire occurred here shortly after 9 o'clock to-night, by which the premises of Messrs. Nimmo and Blair, seed and grain merchants, suffered extensive damage. The building was a three-storied one, <md the fire, seemed to originate in the rear of the, third storey. It spread rapidly, however, and soon the whole floor, with a frontage of some 100 ft. to Lower High Street, was a maw of flame. On this floor was. stored a stock of seeds, and Rome agricultural machinery, and, fed by the former, the fire gained enormously, and dense clouds of smoke and long tongues of flame, rose high into the air, while on the pavement beneath the crash of broken glass from the windows sounded at frenucnt intervals. The Fire Brigade received a call at five minutes past nine, and, having only a short distance to go, were speedily on the scon© with their fire-fighting appliances. . , ~ The ladders were Tun up against the wall, and the firemen started to mount them, hose in hand. One of these—a now ladder, with three men on it—broke in the middle, and nil wore precipitated to the pavement below, Fireman Baxter sustaining n broken leg. Fireman Murray also received some injury. A fresh ladder was soon rigged up, and from this, as well as from a new escape ladder, the firemen were scon pouring powerful jets of water upon tho (lames, which by this time were threatening tlio second storey of the building. Two lends were also carried to the rear from Maeandrew Street, and played upon the flames from good positions with excellent effect. It was largely owing to the work done in this quarter" that the adjoining buildings weTO saved from catching, while the entire absence of wind was also in favour of getting tho flames quickly (subdued. In tlio most southern corner of the building, where tho tire was burning very fiercely, some fiOOO corn sacks wero stored on. the second floor. The agricultural seeds wero extensively damaged by fire and by water. Bv 10.30 the firo ,was practically subdued. The insurances wero not available to-night. ___