FIRE IN DUNEDIN

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1440, 5 October 1899, Page 36

FIRE IN DUNEDIN

"OTAGO DAILY TIMES" OFFICE. HEAVY DAMAGE BY WATER. DUNEDIN. Monday, A Sre broke out in the "Otago Daily Time?" oifiee a few minutes after work was commenced at 3 o'clock. The fire commenced among rolls of paper in the cellar, and when it was 'first observed there some of the rolls were blazing on top within a foot of the ceil in e. A lead of water in. the office was got on, and the Fire Brigade • called, hut the flames were right in ihs centre of the cellar, and it was not easy to gee at them. Breaking through the floor of the sub-editors and reporters' rooms, the fire communicated with the ceiling of the jobbing-room, but it did not reach the composing and linotype room, which is on the fourth story. The brigade managed to get the , fire under. The damage by actual hre is not large, but that bv water will reach several thousands of pounds, as the place had siinply fco be deluged At present it is impossible

to ascertain the extent of the damage. It is hoped that the valuable rotary printing machine and other valuable stock have not been seriously damaged. ' The staff and employees of the "Times are at present waiting about ready to go in and start work as soon as the smoke has cleared away. ; . The origin of the fire is a perfect mystery. LATER. After two hours' work the Fire Brigade was able to get at the seat of the hre. ]So estimate of the damage can be formed. -'_ On the lower floor hundreds of reels ot paper were stored, and much of this will be'mined by fire, smoke and water. The machinery is uninjured. The building and stock are insured for .£16,000, nearly all the offices doing business here being interested. The staff resumed the work of getting out the paper in the upper story. DtTNhiAtN, Tuesday. The principal risks bed by insurance companies on the "Otago Daily Times building and contents are: —South British and Australian Alliance, £ISOO each; Royal and New Zealand. each ; Royal Exchange, National. Standard Victoria, Guardian, North British and Northern, £IOOO each. The loss bv Monday night's fire is estimated at £I7OO.