FIRE AT PUKERAU.

Mataura Ensign, Volume VI, Issue 285, 31 August 1883, Page 2

FIRE AT PUKERAU.

Pukerau was the scene of a disastrous fire on Tuesday evening, Mr F. M. Dawson being the sufferer, As is well-known, his small building w.is paoked with a miscellaneous collection of goods of considerable value, theso b.ing stored in four compartments, It was In oue of those afc tho rear of the building that the fire originated, probably through the bursting of a kerosene lamp or a defect in the stove, the fire in which was burning when Mr Dawson left the building about half an hour before the alarm was raised Whatever tho Gause, however, the firo was not noticed until it had secured a good hold. The night was early and assistance readily procurable, and before long willing hands had by almost superhuman exertions succesded in arresting the progress of tho fire, which burnt the lining of the rooms at the rear and did pthey. daq^ge U.the huildiqg, Beforo its progress was stayed, however, a large (■juantity qf the stock had been removed and * B 4 cOß'sequence seriously damaged by hasty handling, water, anu._. .- ..—.was insured for;.-- oOin the Ne.v Zealand office, and the stock for £1050 ; the South British ofihje fraying a risk of £550 and tho New ?.a)andP ( 9%ftny^b^a ftCC? gr J ripm roughly estimates the d»}»a|9 *t Tha* the building and its '"contents shou"' have been saved is nothing short oi miracuf lous.