THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1534, 25 January 1887, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN FIRE.

PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

DUNEDIN, January 24.

The first man carried out upon a stretcher was a member of the salvage corps, Galloway, who bad received a nasty contusion, but was presently able to walk away. At the hospital a man was received with a bad cut on the wrist, and soon after another man, McFarlane, was admitted with a fractured leg and bruises about an ankle. Wallace spoke from time to time, and bore up very plnckily, but evidently suffered intensely. Esquilant suffered even greater pain, and, though a large quantity of chloroform was administered, be was conscious for a greater part of the time. His father and brother were amongst the onlookers. Wallace was dug out a little after six. Then tbe workers came on the dead bodies of Millar and a man unknown, At 7.30 Esquilant was freed. He had been jammed against a staircase, and a dozen grates had fallen on him. The lower portion of his body was lifeless. At first there seemed a chance of Wallace's recovery, but Bsquilant's case was hopeless, and both died about 10.30. Great precaution had been taken against an outbreak of fire, the walls being as closely built as possible, and iron doors provided with perforated pipes fixed in each room throngh which water or steam could be supplied. The watchman was formerly employed in the day, but owing to a retrenchment policy bis services were recently dispensed with. Tue building was only insured for half its valuo, the company's not caring to take a risk. The only definite information obtainable is that the South British loses £2000; tbe National, net loss, £1000; United, £1700; New Z-aland, £1500.

January 25.

Search was made yesterday in case more bodie3 might bo buried under tbe ruins of the Iron and Woodware Company, but, though it was not exhaustive, the water was pumped on till a late hour. The only portion of the premises standing are the drying room, smithy, and top portion of the warehouse. All the machinery is completely wrecked. The engine aud boiler house was red hot. A safe belonging to Mr. Larnach, which was in the burning building, was taken ont, but was so hot that all the payers therein took fire, and these, with several articles of jewellery, were destroyed. The correct insurances cannot be known till the strongroom is examined. The following insurances are at present known :— New Zealand: mill, £1500; South British: mill, £5500; woodware, £500; ironmongery, £750 ; furniture, £750; total, £25,000 (sic). Mutual: mill, £500 ; ironmongery, £750 ; furniture. £750; total, £2000. Royal: mill, £1000 ; ironmongery. J500 ; furniture, £750; total, £2250. Northern: mill, £1000; Victoria, furniture, i-2000; Liverpool, London, and Globe : woodware, £'2000 ; ironmongery, i-2000 ; furniture, £1000; total, £5000; Norwich Union, ironmongery, £580; London and Lancashire, offices, £1000 ; ironmongery, £2000; furniture, £2000; total, £5000: United, mill, £500; woodware, £500; ironmongery,- £700 ; total, £1700; Union of New Zealand, ironmongery, £1500; Sun, ironmongery, £1000 : furmture, ,£IOOO ; total ; Phoeuix, mill, woodware £1000 ; ironmongery, £1000 ; total, £2500; Equitable, mill, £250; ironmongery, £500 ; total, £750 ; coutiueutal and English offices, not represented iv the colonies, £11,250 ; total, £40,005.

An inquest was held ou the bodies of the four men who lost their lives at the fire. The evidence was similar to that which has already been telegraphed. Witnesses spoke in admiration of the conduct of rescuers. The fourth body has been recognised as that of Richard Pascoe, seaman ; and the verdict was that deceased H. E. Esquilant, Robert Wills, Andrew Miller, and Richard Pascoe met their death by accident, with a rider added expressing sympathy with Mrs. Esqnilaut, and expressing a hope that Francis McEwan, Fireman McKenzie, and Constables Chrishohn and Clarke would receive some fitting reward for their conduct, which was deserving of great praise.