FIRE AT OAMARU.

Evening Star, Issue 4943, 6 January 1879, Page 2

FIRE AT OAMARU.

A. fire, not so Berious in its consequences as it might and as it was expected it would have been, broke out in Solomon's music saloon, Thames street, on Saturday night last. The fire was first discovered by Mr .Robert Lindsay, who was passing by on his way home from business, about twelve o'clock. He thought ho could detect the presence of smoke, and, standing for a moment, distinctly heard some of the articles in the shop (which was of course closed) drop. It at once ocourred to him that the plaee was on fire, and he immediately gave the alarm. Efforts were at once made to obtain accesß to the shop, and this was accomplished by bursting in the side door. When first seen the fire had not gained much headway, but was leaping up to the ceiling, whi«h was scorched and blackened considerably. Plenty of willing hands were soon on the spot, and any fear of the danger spreading soon removed. While water was taken up-staira and poured lavishly on the floors, so as to prevent the fire spreading upwards, Dr Fleming, with the aid of a powerful syringe, was carefully extinguishing all the remaining traces of it in the Bhop below. The damage done was, of course, considerable, several valuable melody organs and pianofortes being either burned or rendered valueless by fire, water, and the rough handling which could hardly be avoided in shifting them out into the street. Many of the instruments which stood at the opposite Bide of the shop from where the fire originated have, however, auffered very little. Many articles of smaller size—vases, toys, musici etc.—were destroyed by the many feet and hands of people that we at into the shop with the very laudable intention of saving property. The stock was insured forLl.ooo in the South British office. The building is the property of Messrs Butterworth Bros. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Mr Solomon, who was aent for. and came down at about a quarter to one, said he had left the shop at a quarter past ten, and was careful to put out the gas, and *id not, feeling unwell, as was his usual custom, light his pipe before leaving. The affair ib, therefore, all the more peculiar, as there is no fireplace in the shop, and no matches or any combustible material was kept in stock. The flame?, when first observed, were proceeding from behind the counter, and the shelves just above, on which had been stowed a large quantity of music books, fancy goods, eto., h*d partly collapsed and were on fire. This is all that is known as to the cause.—'North Otago Times.'