GREAT FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1522, 7 December 1886, Page 3

GREAT FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

Dunedin, Dee. 6. A largo wooden goods-shed opposite the Union Company’s offices was burned to the ground at nine o’clock last night. It must have been smouldering inside unnoticed, probably for several hours, for although it was only observed a few minutes before nine the whole shed from end to end was in a blaze a quarter of an hour after the outbreak. The shed was one mass of flame and from that time forward the nections of the roof fell in at intervals, leaving the uprights standing, a long row of burning sticks. As these gradually fell a double row of trucks inside became visible. They were burning fiercely, and it was plainly hopeless from the outset that it was impossible to save any of the contents. There was a pleasant breeze blowing, just sufficient to assist matters, end the fl lines travelled from the southern to the noitheru end of the shed with wonderful rapidity. By ten the worst mischief was over, and in an hour all that remained of the shed which cost £3OOO was an array o£ charred and smouldering uprights. The fire was first seen simultaneously by two persons from different directions. Junes Lough states that he saw a blaze coming out of the centre at the extreme southern end. By the time he got to the shed the fire had got a pretty good bold and the flames had spread a considerable distance along the inside where three trucks laden with wool were standing close to the shed, and which he uncoupled. Two or three persons then put in an appearance and with their assistance ran the trucks along the line out of the reach. Very shortly afterwards the whole building waa enveloped in flames. The origin hus not been ascertained. The last persons known to be in the building are two railway employees, named Wilkins and Atkinson, who entered the shed sbout 10 o’clock on Saturday night, for the purpose of obtaining some trout. The night watchman states be passed the shed last evening about a quarter to eight and everything appeared to bo perfectly safe. Three quarters of an hour later he was within 100 yards of the ehed and did not observe any signs of fire. Twelve loaded trucks were destroyed. The shed was used as an export shod. The bulk of tbo goods it contained had previous to the fire been removed on Saturday night, the goods remaining chiefly consisting of sheepskins, bides and wool in trucks and som« groceries. On this point it is impossible to obtain definite information, as it will require from two to five hours’ work before the goods despatched can be checked off and the goods destroyed estimated. Tbe highest figures given are £3OOO. Wright, Stephenson and Co, Donald Reid and Co, and Mackerras and Hazlett are mentioned as the agents or owners of the goods destroyed in the building whicb were uninsured. Later The principal losers are Wright, Stephenson and Go., who had 40 biles of, wool

and o’her goods lost, which represent the loss to be about £ISOO, including trucks. These goods were uninsured.