FIRE AT CATLINS RIVER.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 283, 31 January 1879, Page 6

FIRE AT CATLINS RIVER.

| * ! Our readers will regret to learn that Andrew's saw-mill — known as the Big Mill — Catlins River, was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning. Tbe particulars are as follows : — On Tuesday night everything was loft in the usual | wav, and no danger was anticipated. About 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning I Captain Andrew was awakened by hearing | he steam from the large boiler blowing | off. Ko immediately ran out in his nightI dress, and saw flames issuing from the | roof 'of tin* engine-house, and portion of thi mill. Cantain Tall, whose vessel was ■ lying alongside the jetty, and who had also | been a waken or! by the noise, met him at i tlie door. Both parties hastened to raise the alarm, and eret all the men out. All hands were speedilv on the ground, and I did what was possible under the circumj stances. It was, however, seen at the first glance that the mill and engine-house were doomed, and efforts were therefore directed to save the surrounding houses and pronertv. Fortimatelv the fire was not confined to the two buildings mentioned. About 5000 feet of timber which ', was just rearly for tho planing machine ! was also destroyed. From 40,000 to | 50,000 feet of timber was at the jetty, i but fortunately beyond the reach of the flames. The workmen's houses and other i surrounding buildings were left uninjured. There is no clue whatever as to the origin jof the fire. The value of the mill, en- , gine-house, machinery, &c. , destroyed, is estimated at LSOOO. The property was insured in the New Zealand Office to the '■. extent of L3ooo,Vso that Captain Andrew ; mi fori u iiately is a heavy loser, and much \ sympathy is felt for him everywhere : throughout the district. j No doubt an inquest will be held, but ■ Ave do not anticipate that any further particulars will be elicited than those given above.