DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2117, 6 December 1880, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

fPHB FBHBS ASSOCIATION BPHOMi WZBB.*] DUNEDIN, Deoember 5.

One of the most disastrous fires whioh ever occurred in Dunedin, broke out about four o'olock thia morning in the large wooden building on the reclaimed land used as the engine and tramway shed by Mr David Proudfoot. It is not known how the fire originated. Two men were on the premises at the time, cleaning engines, and so quiokly did the iflames spread that they had barely time to escape. The building was completely 'destroyed, also thirty-three tram cars, seven engines, and a tremendous quantity of oats. The insurances against fire were—On the stock and plant Northern, £2500; New Zealand, £2000; Victoria, £1500; Transatlantic, £IOOO ; Hamburg-Magdeburg, £1000; South British, £1000; Norwich Union, £10CO; Australian Alliance, £300; Standard, £SOO. On tho building—Northern, £500; Transatlantic, £500; Hamburg, £SOO. On the oats, Northern, £3OO. On the oars, Sationnl, £IOOO. It seems almost oertain that this is a oase of incendiarism. The ■amounts above-named were obtained from 'the insurance agents, but Mr Proudfoot says he is insured for £14,000. He estimates his .loss at £7OOO above this, without reckoning 'the loss by the suspension of traffic. Only 'three cars are left. A oable message will I>e sent to America to-morrow for others, and ■as more are on the way here, every effort will be made to keep up the traffic KUMARA, December 5. A disastrous fire occurred here at three O'olock this morning. It commenced at Morris Ross' Hotel, Seddon street, whioh was barned down, together with the premises of Messrs Davis, tailor; Holmes, tent maker ; Baber, fruiterer; and a small shop. Tho origin of the fire is unknown at present, and there was no insurance on any of the buildjugs destroyed. The fire was confined to the houses burnt after great exertion by the firemen and the publio. A heavy gale was blowing at the time, and most of the sufferers -saved nothing. The European and Bank Hotels were severely scorched, and were with great difficulty saved.