SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 432, 13 December 1861, Page 2

SERIOUS FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

We regret to have to record the most serious fire that ever occurred in Dunedin, by which property to a large amount has been destroyed, including, we are sorry to say, the office and part of the plant of the Otago Witness and of the Daily Times. The first alarm of the fire was given by Constable Grenan, at half-past 2 o'clook on Sunday, in the' stone Store, belonging to Mr. Cargill, and in the back premises of Mr. Sliaud's bakery. In which of the two it broke out is a disputed questions Mr. Inspector Branigan and a number of constables aud private individuals were speedily on the spot. After sonae difficulty in obtaining it, the little fire engine;—the only one the town boosts of, was got out and fixed on the bay beach, and the hose' conuected ou. Meanwhile the flames spread in such a manner that it became evident there was not much chance of saving the adjoining houses, whilst the safety of ah the buildings between Stafford and Walker stfe'ets seemed imperilled. It was determined to let the Witness office go, and to endeavour to save the Queeu's Arms. Instant steps were taken to empty the printing office of its type and material, and iv an incredibly short space of time the major portion of its contents were handed out into the street. The printing machiue and presses it was found impossible to move, but moat of the frames and nearly all the type were saved. Every exertion was now directed to save the Queen's Arm's hotel, although the near proximity of the flames in the Witness office seemed to make it an impossible task, The engine hose and two chains of buckets were brought to bear on the hotel, and portions of the Witness office were knocked down. At about half-past three, the fire was sufficiently overcome to remove all fears for the safety of the hotel. On the Other side the Are continued to burn fiercely in the large stone stire of Cargill and Co.; Shand's wooden buildings were completely burnt down, and the fire cotnmuuicated to Pollock's butcher shop. It was hopeless to attempt to save it, and as a precautionary measure, the next building (Simpson's boot and shoe store) was pulled down. By this time, the breeze had died away, and beyoud

'destroying another building,' occupied as a store by Paterson the baker, (be fire did no further damage.-. ;- '• • '••■" '.'■■': It is irapossibleUd estimate correctly the value of the property destroyed, but we believe about £10,000 would be the near estimate? We' are sorry to say, little or none of this was insured. Two of the sufferers by the fire were negotiating for insurances, and the terms were to have been agreed on; on Saturday, but were postponed till Monday. The fire was not completely extinguished up to yesterday afteruoou, though it was sufficiently subdued to remove all fears of danger.