FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 14, 16 June 1874, Page 2

FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

[“ Daily Times.”]

One of the most destructive fires which has occurred in Dunedin for some years took place on Friday, June 12th, in Stafford street. At ten minutes past eleven o’clock the alarm was given, and a dense volume of smoke rising in Stafford street, near its junction with Princes street, soon made known the whereabouts of the fire. When the bell first rang no flame was visible, but when the Brigade arrived on the spot a few minutes afterwards a large body of flame rushed out through the front windows of Mr G. F. Reid’s large store, and almost simultaneously the flames burst through at the back, in dangerous proximity to the premises of several shopkeepers whose places of business front Princes street. The fire had evidently got a firm hold of the building in the centre, on the ground floor, and fears were reasonably entertained as to whether the Brigade would be able to stay the progress of the devouring element before the buildings towards Princes street were ignited. The members of the Fire Brigade worked, however, with their accustomed energy, and in a very short time three jets of water were brought into full play. Two were directed through the windows of the store in Stafford street, and the third was used at the back of the burning premises, the supply of water being obtained from the Stafford street main. At this moment the fire was raging fiercely botfly in front and rear. There was evidently a very large quantity of inflammable goods on the ground floor of Mr Reid’s store, and the excitement was considerably increased by a report that some gunpowder was stored on the premises. It was even stated that an express driver named Graham was courageous, or foolhardy enough to carry out a keg of powder. Before the water was properly brought to bear upon the back of the store, the flames had reached the upper storey and were bursting out at the roof, the goods of the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company—who occupied the first floor—having thoroughly ignited. An additional hose was now brought over the roofs of the shops in Princess street ; and in conjunction with tht Stafford street hose, a large body of water was thrown upon the back of the building and through the windows with telling effect. In a quarter of an hour it was evident that the Fire Brigade had obtained the mastery, and that without much difficulty the fire would be confined to a comparatively small space. The flames were beaten back from the windows both at the front’ and rear, and although the fire burnt fiercely in the centre, there was no fear of its spreading farther at most than the adjoining premises of Houghton and Co. The fire damaged the latter premises considerably at the rear and on the roof, but did not force its way to the front, although of course the whole building is very much wrecked. In about an hour and a half the fire was thoroughly subdued, and scarcely a sign of fire illuminated the blackened smoking premises of Messrs Reid and Houghton. Fortunately the night was very calm. Had the southerly wind been somewhat stronger, great difficulty would have been experienced in preserving the Union Hotel on the opposite side of Stafford street from destruction. The new brick premises of Murray, Roberts and Co., adjoining Mr G. F. Reid’s store, escaped unharmed, scarcely a window being broken. As to the origin of the fire, it is, of course, impossible to ascertain anything at present. The fire was discovered almost simultaneously by the -watchman at Cobb’s yards, and by a gentleman in Princes street. It is stated that three gentlemen left one of the burnt offices about half an hour before the fire broke out. The Mosgiel Factory Company’s books were locked up in a safe, and hopes are entertained of their safety. It is a somewhat curious fact that, during the last twelve months, this is the second fire that has occurred on the practice night of the Fire Brigade. We can give no exact information as to the actual amount of damage sustained. The insurances, so far as we were able to ascertain, are as follows : New Zealand Company, £ISOO on the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company’s goods, and £SOO on Mr G. F. Reid’s. South British—£looo on Mr Reid’s property, and the same amount on the goods of the company. Standard Company—£looo on Mr G. F. Reid’s property. As Mr Reid carried on a large forwarding agency business, a considerable quantity of goods belonging to other merchants have probably also been destroyed. Tho owners of property in the vicinity of the fire acted with great

presence of mind in not permitting their goods and furniture to be thrown into the street, thus preventing a great deal of the wreckage which so needlessly occurs at the majority of fires. The large crowd of persons on the scene behaved very well, and the police had little difficulty in maintaining good order.