THE GREAT FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 780, 11 February 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GREAT FIRE IN DUNEDIN.

(united press association.) Dunedin, February 3. The inquiry into the recent fire at the Iron and Wood ware Company’s premises was concluded to-day. The jury found that James Churchill, assistant stoker, set the place on fire, but, whether wilfully or accidentally, was not shown. It was Churchill’s duty to go down to the factory on Sunday and bank: up the fire ready .to start.-on Monday morning. This duty, he said* he performed, and left...the premises... at 10.15 a. m. According to his version; he then went for a walk abont the streets: He was in company with one or two persons, never having gone near the factory again. A constable and two witnesses who knew Churchill, however, state that they saw him about the stokehole a few minutes before the alarm of fire was given.- Churchill brought two witnesses to prove that he was about the streets on Sundav at the time ho mentioned, but both gave evidence in such a way that the Magistrate had to caution them. From the evidence it would: appear that Churchill when in the magazine where the shavings were kept must have dropped a light intuit, and perhaps not noticed it. Tho shoot by which the shavings, etc., reached the magazine'-would act as a flue, and cause a strong draught, and once started, the shavings would burn furiously. The jury s verdict was—“ The jury find that the fire originated in the magazine adjoining the boiler-house; that James Churchill was in the boiler-house immediately before the fire was discovered, and set fire to the place, hut whether accidentally or wilfully-there is no evidence to show. They added the following rider, “ That the Company gave too much facility for access to their premises by allowing such a large number of their employes to carry keys.”