FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

Evening Star, Issue 4085, 30 March 1876, Page 2

FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

TWO HOUSES DESTROYED. A fire broke out in Mr John Blair’s store, at Caverahain, at about 9.30 o’clock last night. It could be distinctly seen in town, and many persons were of opinion that the Immigration Barracks were the scene of the fire. The alarm was given by the bell of the local Presbyterian Church being rung, and a large-number of persons were soon collected on the spot. The flames rapidly extended to Mr E. W. Cochrane’s house adjoining, and both premises were speedily destroyed, notwithstanding the endeavors of neighbours to extinguish the flames with water got from an adjoining creek. The scarcity of water was, however, seriously felt, and beer from Mr Cochrane’s brewery had to be used to extinguish _ the fire. Considerable difficulty was experienced in freeing the families of Messrs Cochrane and Blair from the burning premises. Mr Cochrane’s brewery at the rear of his dwelling was greatly damaged, principally by being partly pulled down. Mr Blair’s stock was insured for L6OO—L2OO in the Norwich Union and L4OO in the Victoria Company. The house occupied by Mr Blair belonged to Mr Patterson, of the Molyneux, and was insured. It was a very old building. Mr Cochrane estimates the damage to his dwelling-house at L 250, to the brewery buildings at LIOO, to the stock at L2OO, to plant at LIOO, to furniture and' effects at Ll5O, to stabling at L 5; total loss, LBOS. He was insured in the Victoria office for L 475, as follows :-L175 on the house, L 250 on the brewery, plant, and stock, Lso|on the stabling. Mr Coehrane loses a quantity of valuable jewellery. The furniture and' effects were uninsured. What Mr Blair’s loss is we are unable to learn. Honora Morris, servant in his employ, loses the whole of her clothing* which she values at LlO. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It appears from Mr Blair’s statement that he had just left his shop, and had had his supper brought to him, when his wife said she noticed a strong smell of kerosene. On his going down stairs he found the place to be on fire, Mr Cochrane (whose house was four feet behind Blair’s) said that his attention was attracted to Blair’s by hearing a noise, and that on going outside and trying to force open the door he was unable to do so. An inquiry will probably be held.

We do not wish to be thought apologists for the Fire Brigade, but it is bare justice to that body to state that they went out to Caversham with reasonable despatch. The Brigade’s instructions are not to proceed to any fire outside the City boundaries, unless their expenses are guaranteed; but last night twenty-five men out of a total strength of thirty had mustered at Caveraham, when it was learned that their sendees had been sent for. For two hours they worked well with the hand engine they brought with them.