FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 277, 22 November 1899, Page 5

FIRE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDTN, Tuesday

A fire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. in the back portion of the Phoenix .lam Factory and Confectionery Works in MucLaggan-street. The fire spread rapidly, and reached about the middle of the building', which is of stone and brick., two storeys high, before the fire brigade got the'(ire under. The damage is \evy considerable, but the manager is unable to give an estimate, until he has examined the machinery, stock, etc. There is an insurance on the building and machinery, but particulars are not at present obtainable. Tghe brigade, having cheeked the advance of the flames, are now suppresing the fire in the back portion. DUNEDIN, this day. It is suggested as a possible theory to account for the fire in the Phoenix factory that the drying ovens became over-heated. At anyrate there was a loud explosion from that part of the building. The old portion of the factory is pretty well wrecked, but the. hew part is * practically intact. The insurances are £27Sl\on the building. £5335 on plant, and £4033 on stock. The above may perhaps be about 20 per cent, loss, but this is merely a reporter's estimate and not official. The insurances on the packing and storerooms (practically intact) is £2450 on the building and £950 on the contents. The insurances are distributed over sixteen offices, including practically all colonial ofn.es.