THE FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 451, 21 June 1871, Page 2

THE FIRE AT DUNEDIN.

[Fi?.OM; the " Otago Daii/y Times," June 13.] At half-past two o'clock this morning the fire bell rang out loudly, its vehement tones plainly indicating that a fire of some magnitude had been observed by the watchman. Those who immediately started for the spot noticed flames ascending from the houses on the west side of the Cutting, and it was seen that they arose from the City Buffet Hotel, and Miss Cane's '.. Labor .Registry, Office. Frightened women and ch/'nuren, roused from their slumbers, rushed out of the blazing houses for refuge ; and the policemen on duty burst open the doors of the hotel,-succeeding in getting a woman" and'child out just as the flames burst forth from the front of the building. Only six minutes after the alarm was given the brigade with their appliances were on the spot, but three minutes elapsed before they were brought to bear, part of the delay being caused by a search for the fire-plug, and part by the endeavours of a blockhead of a cabman to drive past.l The fiamea now. enveloped botli houses, and the heat even on the other side of the road was almost unbearable. The moment the water began to play, however, the flames disappeared as if by magic, and dense volumes of smoke burst forth. Just at this moment a slight breeze sprung up, the flames gained fresh strength, and it seemed as if all i tne houses as far as Messrs. Dunning Brothers' shop must 'go. ' The firemen bravely stuck to their work, however, and a jet being brought to bear on the fire from behind, it was again checked. This alternate struggle for the mastery continued for about an hour, beyond which time wo were unable to delay publication ; but at that time tho fire, though still struggling and occasionally breaking out, was in a fair way to be extinguished. We have not heard how it originated, nor the probable amount of damage, but these particulars we shall doubtless be able to supply in our next issue.