SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9083, 25 February 1908, Page 4

SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Press Association. Dunedin, February 24. A serious outbreak of lire occurred, in Thomson & Company’s aerated water manufactory, in Crawford Street, this afternoon. The lire was discovered almost in the middle of the top storey, where are stored a large quantity of corks, disused machinery, packing, and other contents. The flames had a strong hold when discovered, and spread with almost incredible rapidity over the inflammable, material at hand, and when the Brigade arrived, a few minutes later, the whole floor was ablaze. The building stands up by itself . a mongst^oue-storey eretcious, and there is only one steep, narrow stairway giving access to the upj®r portions. It was too high to send a stream of water to the seat of fire from the street, though this was essayed, and so great a hold had the flames secured that the firemen were boateu back from the stair ladder which was hastily laid up the front of the building. An intrepid firefighter (Conway) climbed up this with a hose and in the teeth of the flames directed a stream of water through the window. This was only partly effective, and the ladder had to bo shifted to an adjoining window. Up to this Firemen Williams and Conway clambered, dragging the heavy hose, and succeeded in getting a strong flow of water into the middle of the roaring furnace within.

It is estimated that the damage exceeds £2OOO. The insurances are distributed in the Atlas, Standard, Liverpool, Loudon and Globe, New Zealand, South British, Victoria, National, Commercial Union, Alliance, Royal,. Australian, Alliance, and Phoenix. On the warehouse, cordial department, and office (the section affected) the total is £3250; on the stock, £3800; on the machinery £705; on fittings, etc., £2OO. The factory adjoining is insured for £1000; its stock for £4OO, and machinery £IOOO. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a defective chimney.