FIRES.

Evening Star, Issue 7404, 27 December 1887, Page 2

FIRES.

A fire broke out between two and three o’clock on Monday morning in Mr Seeger’s confectionery and pastry shop in Princes street, next door to Messrs Wise, Caffin, and Co.’s book shop. When the alarm was given the fire bad a strong hold of the premises, as it was burning fiercely both in the front shop and at the back. Mr Seeger and his sou slept cn the premises. Young Seeger was aroused by the smell of smoke, and waking up his father they found that it was impossible to make their way downstairs, so they escaped by a window at the back on to the roof of ashed, and then made their way to the ground. They had no time to save anything, but were just able to seize their clothing. Mr Seeger states that he has po idea how the fire originated. They were at work in the bakehouse until about one o’clock, and left everything then apparently safe. The Fire Brigade were soon on the scene, and getting three streams of water to work on the flames, it was soon evident that the fire would be confined to the building in which it started, Messrs Wise, Caffin and Co.’s shop being divided by a substantial stone wall, Mr Glover’s old shop, which is now unoccupied, was situated on the other side, but was not in such danger, as the little wind there was blew the flames in another direction. Court’s Otago Hotel in Rattray street, which is close to the back of Mr Seeger’s shop, was for a short time in danger, out as soon as the hose was got to bear upon the flames at the back all fear of the fire spreading in that direction was at an end. Of Mr Seeger’s shop very little is left standing. Messrs Wise, Caffin, and Co.’s premises are slightly damaged, and the stock will probably have received some damage by smoke and water. The buildings are owned by the Government Insurance department, and we believe they are insured, but for what amount or in what office we are unable to ascertain at present, owing to (he insurance offices being closed. Mr Seeger’s stock, he informs us, was insured for L6OO in a German office and L3OO in the Union office. He estimates the value of the stock and fittiugs at L 1,600. Messrs Wise, Caffin, and Co. are also believed to be ln> sured i but, as stated, their stock will be but slightly injured. Mr H. Neill (jeweller), Mr K. Brew {commission agent), and Mr Whyte (labor agent) occupied offices over Messrs Wise, Caffin, and Co.’e parmlseei while Mr R. Rutherford (of Rutherford and Go., photographers), had rooms above Mr Glover’s shop. Some of these places were damaged by smoke or water, but the extent is not yet known. Mr Carmalt and the Salvage Corps were early On the scene, and lent every assistance, Two four-roomed wooden cottages, 6ocn* pied by Mrs Berry and Mary Ah Til, situated in Stafford street, were burnt down last night about half-past eleven. The fire was first discovered by Miss Berry (who was the last to retire) hearing something crack* ing in a room upstairs, and on going np discovered the room to be in flames. The fire is supposed to have been caused by the curtain blowing against a lighted candle left burning on the table of a room occupied by an old man named Spray, a lodger of Mrs Berry’s, who retired to rest at 9.30 p.m, considerably under the influence of liquor. Presumably he had fallen asleep, leaving the light burning, with the result mentioned. Spray was with difficulty removed from the building. As it was, his face and hands were so badly burned as to necessitate his removal to the Hospital. The buildings (the property of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds) were both very old, and burned quickly. Neither the buildings nor the contents were covered by insurance, the occupants losing very nearly everything.