FILE AND TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE IN DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 908, 12 September 1879, Page 3

FILE AND TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE IN DUNEDIN.

(Alurnhuj Herald.) At about half-past two o’clock on Monday morning one of the most disastrous tires which ever occurred in Dunedin broke out in Walters’ Cafe, in the Octagon, Dunel in. The Cafe and other parts of the block were densely peopled, the Cafe alone having some 25 boarders, while the rooms over all the places of business were occupied —the computation being that at least 50 persons were sleeping in the block. Of these some dozen persons are unaccounted fur, and it am.units to almost a certainty that Mr and Mrs Wilson, with their whole family—save and except two daughters, one of whom, as we said, is badly injured—are lust. How the lire originated is at present a mystery, and with the intense excitement which at present prevails it is impossible to ascertain anything like reliable information One man who jumped from the third story was killed, aud Mr Wilson’s servantgirl, who also endeavoured to escape by that means, was killed.

The following additional particulars were published as an “ Extra ” on Tuesday : [By Telegraph ] (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Dunedin, Septemoer 9th. 1.46. p.m.

Ross’s building is a brick block iu the Octagou, containing three shops and about 50 rooms, some belonging to the shops and the others let separately. The interior was partitioned off in quite a flimsy manner, so tho place was gutted in a very short time. The interior was like a rabbit warren in its construction, and in the dark the inmates could not tind the single staircase which led to the entrance to the building. Eieven bodies have been recovered up to the present, as follows Vlr Robert Wilson (Editor of the Witness). Mrs Wilson, and four children, Margaret M'Cartncy (their servant), G. E. Martin (late SubLibrarian to the Athenaeum), and John Taylor, The other two bodies are unrecognisable. Mr Wilson’s other two children, and who were seriously injured, are in the Hospital. The search for bodies is still proceeding. The Cafe had about 30 lodgers. The scene at the tire was most horrifying, several of the inmates jumping from the windows. The bodies now lying at the morgue present a horrible spectacle. Through the lire escape having been lately moved from its position, it could not he found for a long lime. Several inmates escaped by means of a rope, which they found in an upstairs room. The fire is supposed to have originated in one of the

second story rooms of the Cafe, but this is not certain. Great sympathy is felt for the remaining little Wilsons. The deceased Mr Wilson had been connected with the Witness for about 13 years, an t he was much respected. There is intense excitement in Dunedin, and the Morning Herald office was literally rushed fur extras. The following is condensed from the Morning Herald : Search was continued throughout Tuesday for the body of the boy Wilson, but has not yet been recovered. Later in the day information was given that the boy did not sleep near his parents, and the search was made in another direction. In a short time they came across the body of a man of large proportions, hut quite unrecognisable. It has now been ascertained beyond doubt that 12 persons have lost their lives through the fire. A large portion of the building is still unexplored, and it is posable other bodies may be discovered.

The utmost excitement has prevailed in Dunedin since the unfortunate event. The two Wilsons who are still in the Hospital are progressing satisfactorily, hut they have not yet been informed of their terrible loss Of the others in the Hospital David Thomson sustaineil bruises of the left hip ami riba, and Anuie had yen, 18, has her hack injured.

The scene at the morgue was of a fearful character. The public were wisely refused admission. In every case the holies were much altered, and their deaths had evidently been caused by suffocation rather than by burning. The police requested all persons sleeping in the building and who «ere saved to report themselves. Those «ho escaped were hospitably taken care of for the time by the proprietors of the Douglas and Octagon Hotels. During the progress of the fire there were several very narrow escapes through the falling walla, hut the Fire Brigade worked with a will and wilh great intrepidity. There is no elue to the cause of the fire, but it is supposed to h've been accidental. An enquiry is to be hel l.