FIRE IN TEES-STREET.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 868, 27 January 1879, Page 2

FIRE IN TEES-STREET.

On Saturday night between 10 and 11 o'clock a fire broke out in a small cottage owned by Mr. J. Hes, photographer, and situated at tho rear of his Tees-street, studio. Fortunately, thero was no wind at the time, for had Mievo been nothing could have saved tho cottage bosido it-—if not a number of other buildings—from destruction. Watson and M'lntosh's new iron workshop and store, which stood within tlireo or four feet of the burning building, was not injured. A number of persons were soon upon the ground, and very wisely pulled down the dry fences close to it. The house, being of wood, was soon reduced to a mass of red embers. Water w T as obtained from a well in Watson and M'lntosh's premises, and buckets were supplied by that firm. When the fire had been reduced sufficiently to get near it, men armed with spades threw large quantities of earth upon the embers and so smothered them. On Sunday evening, however, the strong wind which sprang up uncovered the ashes, and was driving live coals about in ill directions, but some gentlemen who were present speedily applied water to the burning embers and extinguished them. The origin of the fire is unknown. The cottage was occupied by two single men (carpenters), who were not at home ; and very little of their property was saved. The building, we understand, was not insured.