FIRE.

Press, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5313, 15 September 1882, Page 3

FIRE.

A fire brake out about nias Vclock ton Mittoge situated in the Sydmshameontinoetion; ofMiieSotteiatraet, occcyitdby Mr ODonnail and family. The fiamas epefdfly com-: muntoatod to two dwellings mtuatod on the north side, (he first of whmh, a bouse of two stories in height, was tenanted by ft p*f*°° named Jerome, the other being occupied by Mr Sehwegm and Mr Michael Hart. The fire was ocsationed by a kerosene lamp being upset in CDonnell's cottage, and so rapidly did the flames spread that it was with dim culty a tewing machine was got out of the burning house? this was the only artaels, saved. In the meantime the cooupante of ' the other bouses were busily employed to removing their furniture, in whioh they were successful. Owing to the absenoe of water there was no means of keeping tbe flames in check, whioh wnseauently ignited the second house and the third sueeeuively, the progress being accelerated by a slight, bretse from tho south-west. The heat at this time was vary intense, and a row of oottsget to the eastward of tre burning buildings were in jeopardy, but tbe occupiers and neighbors worked well with what little water could be obtained to prevent them catching fire, and were successful, although, aa the fire was repeatedly blown upon them, the task was a difficult one. The hand engine and one of the large steam fire engines were brought on the spot as soon as possible, but, as no water oould bo obtained, the members of the fire brigade who mustered in force had to stand idly by, although some of them did good service in protecting the surrounding dwellings. The result is that three houses are totally destroyed. Aa far aa can be ascertained, O'Donnell'B cottage is insured by the Permanent Building Society to the Victoria Insurance Office} the second house ia said to be insured, but the office could not be ascertained; whilst it is stated that the house occupied by Mrs Behwegin is insured in the office already named for £200. The chemical fire engine was also taken to the locale of the fire, but its ser rices were not called h^,ttmm^ rM^,ttS smf^HMS'