FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 4034, 31 January 1876, Page 2

FIRE.

An alarm of fire in, High Ward was vigorously rung out from the Bell Tower at twenty minutes to four o’clock this morning. A concourse of people soon assembled at the comer of Princes and High streets, and some members, of the Brigade rushed towards the Octagon, but no flame was to be seen. A man was then despatched to the Bell Tower, and he returned with the information that the fire was at the rear of the Wesleyan Church, wither the brigade and people went; but no indication of the fire could be discovered there, and all agreed that the thing had ended in smoke. Meantime Sergeant Hanlon, from North Dunedin, with three constables had discoverd the locale of the fire, which preyed to be a house inDowlipg street, near York place, occupied by Mrs , Eichard Barnes. The police were not long in subduing the flames, which were caused, by a quantity of old rags and paper smouldering on the flooring. When Inspector Mallard arrived on the scene sent for the Brigade, and a detachment of consisting of five men with a hand-engine soon came up, but the fire was then almost out. Mis Barnes was insured in the South British tor Ll5O, but the damage to the property is merely nominal. Had it not been for the promptness of Sergeant Hanlon and the police under him, who were on the spot almost at the commencement of the fire, a number of wooden tenements in the neighborhood might have been destroyed. This is not the only occasion .on which this officer, has displayed similar vigilance.