SERIOUS "FIRES AT DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2175, 14 February 1881, Page 3

SERIOUS "FIRES AT DUNEDIN.

[By Telbsbaph.j

[PBH PBH8» ASSOCIATION.]

DUNEDIN, February 14. Tho fire which completely gutted Hudson’s flour-mill factory, and considerably damaged a portion o£ the new Coffee Palace, broke out at twenty minutes to two on Sunday morning. The new Coffee Palace is built immediately in front of the old Mesonio Hall, and for some years past this building has been occupied by Hudson as a mill store and factory. The general opinion is that the fire originated in the bakehouse, but on this matter there is a difference of opinion. The alarm was raised by the stableman at the City Hotel. At the time the fire broke out the ■ Coffee Palace—Mr O. O. Hawkins (manager), Mr Hawkins, and two female servants (Isabella Monziea and Elizabeth Boss). A boy slept in a room adjoining the factory, but fully 100 ft from where the fire started. Mr and Mrs Hawkins occupied a room on the first floor of the Coffee Palace overlooking Dr. Hookon’s dwelling-house, and the servants in a room on the next, flat, immediately above Hawkin’a rooms. On Mrs Hawkins opening her door a volume of smoke entered the room, and the first thing done was to arouse the servants. By this time the fire brigade, with the escape, wore at the fire. All, in a short time, the brigade rescued by means of the fire escape. At this time the building at the back was a mass of flame, wheat, flour, sugar, butter, and other stock burning fiercely. Several ■ streams of water were soon turned on the building, as many as six branches being used at one time. The walls confined the flames within the building, but water was Slay ed on Dr Hockin’s building, and all anger of its catching fire was removed. Tt e roof of the Coffee Palace caught fire, and was re ally damaged before the flames was checked by water. The construction of the Palace aided the brigade in keeping the fire back, as the firemen were enabled to play upon the fire from so many different positions. By about three o’clock the fire were ohecked, and by four o’clock all danger was over. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Andrew Masroe, the foreman baker, was the last man known to be in the bakehouse, and he was there at about 11 30 p m. on Saturday for the purpose of putting potatoes in the oven to set and ferment on Sunday, for Monday’s bread. When he left, he states there was no sign of fire in the place. The firo in the kitchen of the coffee palace was extinguished immediately after tea, and that ' there was no fire there at eight o’clock known to Mr Hawkins and his servants. Mr Hawkins went over the building as late os 10.30 in order to see everything was safe, and then there was no sign of fire. There was a large stock of goods in the store, and machinery in the factory of very considerable value. The coffee palace had very little furniture in it, os it was not intended to open it for ton days, though furniture had been purchased to the value of £2OOO, and would have been in in the course of a few days. The furniture not insured was lent, and the damage done to the property will be covered by About £lO, and damage to the building is more than covered by insurance. Five lodges of Freemasons met in the lodge-room above tha mill and factory, besides a Boyal Arch Chapter and two Grand Lodges, one under the' English and the other under the Scottish Constitution. The regalia and furniture of the lodges, including an harmonium and organ, were estimated to bo worth £BOO, and tha insurance on them is about £SOO, divided between the Standard, National, and Victoria Insurance Companies The Grand Ledge records and charter are in the office of the secretary and are safe. The document of the Arch Chapter is saved, being in the custody of one of the officers.

A fire broke out at ten minutes past nine o’clock at a four-roomed house owned and occupied by Earrold, a grocer, in Brown -street. Very little cculd be done on account of the scarcity of water, and just before the brigade arrived it seemed probable that damp* bell's house adjoining would bo destroyed. It however escaped with a scorching. The tenement in which the fire originated was, with its whole contents, completely burnt. Mr Harrold is at present away on a trip to Melbourne. Mrs Harrold on Saturday night went oat at half-past eight o'clock, leaving a kerosene lamp in the back bedroom. The furniture is insured in the Transatlantic for £l5O. Campbell’s house is insured with the National for £l5O. Wright’s furniture is covered by a policy in the same office for £IOO. The risk on the house in the Union expired on the let. Harrold’s house is insured in the Transatlantic for £2OO.