DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT OAMARU.

Temuka Leader, Issue 230, 31 January 1880, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT OAMARU.

Oamaru, Jan. 28. The most destrnctive fire which has taken place in Oamaru commenced today, at half past 12 o'clock, in Messrs Bailie and Humphrey's Avarehouse. Within a few minutes the flames i/urst through the roof, and it was at rnee evident that nothing could stay the immediate progress of the flames, for the adjoining buildings—forming a'-j part cf the Queen's Hotel—were composul of wood. Efforts were at once made to remove all thetimler in Craig's, &c, yard, lying near the fire, and so prevent it spreading in that direction while scores of willing hands were busily engaged removing furniture and stock from the hotel Baiiie and Humnereys' store, ai,d t e small sin ps on the south side. The Fire Brigade attended quickly, but want of water greaty interfered with their usefulness. With alarming rapidity the flames spread from the store where the fire originated to the block portion of the Queen's Hotel, and within a few minntes the whole of this part of the building was enveloped in flames. The roof of the store soon fell in, and was quickly followed by that of the rear part of the hotel. The progres* of the fire at Bailie and Humphereys, was checked by a ston« wall, and it was hoped that the stone wall of the main part oi the hotel would prove equally effective in that direction, but the flames were carried under the ioof by the breeze. From the roof the fire spread to the roof of Bailie and Humphreys' store, but there a body of men was stationed, and by applying water kept the flames from noing much damage. On the south of the Queen's Hotel two small shops occupied by Murray, bootmaker, and M'Bride, tobbaconist, fell any ea»y prey to the fire. The whole of the interior of the hotel was burned clean out, leaving nothing but the walls standing. Fortunately, the flames spread no further, but still a large amount of damage was done, The fire probably originated in the bakehouse adjoining the store in which it was first discovered. The buildings were the property of Mr J. Markham, and were insured for the following amounts, which are given in lump sums, as it is impossible to say what the proportion is upon the different buildings : Royal, L 2500 ; New Zealand, LIO6O ; Victoria, LIOOO (LSOO reinsured in Union), making a of L 4560. Markham's stocky and fnrniture are insured for Lloooin the New Zealand, LIGOO Transatlantic, and L6ooin the South British (half reinsured in the Colonial). Bailie and Humphrey's stock, &c, is insured as follows : Norwich Union, LIOOO ; Victoria. Llooo (Lsoo reinsured in the Colonial); Colonial, Llooo ; United, Llooo ; Transatlantic, L5oo; making a total of L 4500. Murray's stock, which was got out slightly damaged, was insured in the South British.for L2oo. M'Bride's| stcck waa not insured, and was fortunately 1 saved. The total insurances amount to L 11,860, but it is difficult to say what portion oftfcis the several Companies will be called upon to pay, though the amount cannot be set down at less than LBOOO. The policies held by Bailie and Humphrey do not amount to the firm's estimate of the value of their stock, which they set down at over Lsooo. At 5 o'clock (he fire was completely under control, and there is now no danger of its spreading,