FIRE AT THE CYLDE BRIDGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1083, 26 January 1883, Page 3

FIRE AT THE CYLDE BRIDGE.

On Sunday afternoon last the Clyde Bridge ha 1 a narrow escape from destructin iby fire. The smoke being seen shortly after it caught fire, and energetic steps taken by the Rev. Mr Clinton, Mr S'evens, an- 1 others, who were the first to not'ce it, no more damage was done than the burning of a comile of boles thr -ugh the road planks. Yet but f-r the timely efforts of those gentlemen, a far tliff.-rcut tale might hj ive to be told. The cause of tha fire cannot be traced to the real party, hut there is no doubt it was a smoker throwing down a lighted mateh, and it falling amongst some of the light dry rubbish that necessarily collects on road-ways set it on fire and from that the flames caught the flooring. The accident should act as a warning to people who use the bridge, and if they must light their matches when on the structure to see that they are afterwards thrown into the river or should they fall on the road to extinguish them, it is only a few short weeks ago the Cromwell Bridge had a similar narrow escape, and the cause of that was known to have been a lighted match, dropped by a farmer and carter, who occasionally visits the district. Borne persons entertain the idea that no responsibility rests with them should thev be the cause, however innocently, of firing a bridge. We wou'd a Ivise them not to place too much dependence in whit would prove a delusion. If a charge were laid ami proved, there is no question but tho punishment would be a severe one.