DISASTROUS FIRE IN OAMARU.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1852, 29 January 1880, Page 2

DISASTROUS FIRE IN OAMARU.

[By Telegraph,] OAMARTJ, January 23. The most destructive fire which has yet taken place in Oamaru commenced to-day, at half-past twelve o’clock, in Messrs Bailie and Humphrey’s warehouse. Within a few minutes the flames burst through the roof and it was at once evident that nothing could stay their progress, for the adjoining buildings, forming portion of the Queen’s Hotel, were composed of wood. Efforts were at once made to remove all the timber in Craig and Co.’s timber yard lying near the fire and so prevent the fire spreading in that direction, while scores of willing hands were busily engaged in removing the furniture and stock from the hotel, Bailie and Humphrey’s store, and the small shops on the south side. The fire brigade attended quickly, but want of water greatly interfered with their usefulness. With alarming rapidity the flames spread from the store where the fire originated to the back portion of the Queen’s Hotel, and within a few minutes the whole of this part of the building was enveloped in flames. The roof of the store soon fell in, and was quickly followed by that of the rear part of the hotel. The progress of the fire at Bailie end Humphry ’« was checked by a atone wall,

and it was hoped the stone wall of the main part of the hotel would prove equally effective in that direction, but the flames were carried under the roof by the breeze. From the roof of the hotel the flames spread to the roof of Bailie and Humphrey’s store, but here a body of men were stationed, and by applying water kept the flames from doing much damage. On the south of the Queen’s Hotel two small shops, occupied by Murray, bootmaker, and Mcßride, tobacconist, fell an easy prey. The whole of the interior of the hotel was burned clean out, leaving nothing but the walls standing. Fortunately the flimes spread no further, but still a vast amount of da r age was done. The fire probably originated in a bakehouse adjoining the store in which it was first discovered. The buildings, wliich were the property of Mr J. Markham, were insured for the following amounts, given in lump sums, as it is impossible to say what is the proportion upon different buildings : Royal, £2500 ; New Zealand, £1060; Victoria, £IOOO (£SOO reinsured in the Union) ; making a total of £4560. Markham’s stock and furniture were insured for £IOOO in the New Zealand, £IOOO in the Transatlantic, and £6OO in the South British, (balf reinsured in the Colonial). Bailie and Humphreys’ stock, &c, wes insured as follows : —Norwich Union, £IOOO ; Victoria, £IOOO (£SOO reinsured in the Colonial) ; Colonial, £1000; United, £1000; Transatlantic, £500; making a total of £4500. Murray’s stock, which was got out slightly damaged, was insured in the South British for £2OO. Mcßride’s stock was not insured, but was fortunately saved. The total insurances amount to £ll S6O, but it is difficult to say what portion of this the several companies will be called upon to pay, though the amount cannot be set down at less than £BOOO. The policies held by Bailie and Humphrey do not amount to the firm’s estimate of the value of their stock, which they set down at over £SOOO. At five o’clock the fire was got completely under, and there is now no danger of its spreading.