DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CATLIN'S RIVER.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 108, 31 January 1879, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT CATLIN'S RIVER.

On the morning of Wednesday, 29th inst., a most disastrous fire took place at Catlin's River, by wt.ich the Big Mill was totally destroyed. Captain Andrews, the proprietor of the mill, states that he was wakened about four o'clock this morning by the noise made by the^team blowing off, aud on looking out of the window, discerned tbat the eDgine-room of the mill was on fire. He immediately alarmed the neighbourhood, and speedily a large number of men were on the scene of the confla /ration. Taeir efforts to save the < ffects were, however, futile, as the flames spread very quickly, and in a very short time afcer the fire was discovered, the whole building was one burning mass ; the only things saved from destruction were two saws and two doors. There were a large number of men employed in this mill, but we believe Captain Ant'ews h«B endeavoured to keep them elsewhere empl >yed, so that they will nofc be heavy sufferers by the disaster. The cause is unknown. It is said that everything was right anl safe on the evening previous, at nine o'clock, when the mill was gone through and examined. Constable Hughes left Balclutha on Wednesday, for Catiiu's River, to tx^mine into the circumstances, and endeavour to discover tbe cause of the fire. T c building and plant were insured in th*; New Zealand Insurance office for £3000. The stocK. was n>t i sured. Captain Andrews esti mate-* his loss at £5000.