OTAGO.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIV, Issue 599, 30 July 1868, Page 3

OTAGO.

DESTRUCTIVE EIRE IN DUNEDIN. The most destructive fire which ever visited Dunedin brolce out on ♦ t-'i July in tue stables of tiie Commercial Hotel, The origin of the conflagration is enveloped in mystery ; but it is supposed to have been caused by a man carelessly smoking in a hay loft attached to the stables of the hotel. It |is rumoured char the unfortunate manj Isas lost his life in the fire of which he was the supposed cause. There is, however, no absolute proof on this head ; and he may yet have escaped so horrible a death. The damage and loss caused by the fire is immense, and the actual total loss can only be estimated approximately. Some of those whose property has been destroyed! were insured; but the losses of those | who were uninsured will be extremely j severe. T' e various Fire Insurance Offices will have to suffer heavy losses in satisfying the claims of the numerous policy holders. It is believed that the various Colonial Fire .Insurance i Companies in New Zealand and Aus- ! i ralia will have to write off very large iamounts owing to this extensive fire.; Notwithstanding the almost super-j human efforts of the Fire Brigades and numerous parties of volunteers, and good supply of water, the progress of the conflagration could not be stayed.! The Fire Brigades worked splendidly! under the direction of their able and experienced officers. Once having a mastery of the extensive Commercial stables, the flames spread in all directions, fastening upon building after building until the devastation was complete. The destruction was not confined to that actually caused by lire ; but many thousands of pounds’ worth ; of property were spoilt or destroyed by water, smoke, and damage consequent upon hasty removal. Three valuable horses were burnt alive in the stables, one being the well-known raeer Topthorne, the winner of many colonial events. —Wairarapa Mercury.