FIRE IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1223, 18 March 1880, Page 2

FIRE IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

(from to-day's daily times.) A somewhat serious fire occurred in South Dunedin last night, just past the railway crossing. . It broke out a little before 11 o'clock, in a small store kept by Messrs. Gorman and Johnston, a couple of doors below Naumann's Hall. THe fire appears to Have been caused by the bursting of a kerosene lamp. Mrs. Gorman. was alone in .the house, and , on the explosion rushed out in a fright to give tlie alirm. In the absence of water, nothing whatever could be done to save the building, and the flames soon obtained a strong hold. Nothing whatever was saved from the store or from, the dwelling in connection with Jt. Next to the store,' .and between it and the hall, was a threeroomed cottage, occupied by a family named Barclay. They were roused up, and were fortunate enough to get out their furniture. The flames soon obtained a.hold of. this building, and also of some sheds at the back, and no water being obtainable, while there was a fresh breeze, they, spread to Nau;mann's Hall, close alongside. As the wall of this was seen to be on fire, it seemed as if nothing could save the hall, and then the Hillside Hoteil, Mr. Naumann's residence next to the hotel in Cargill Road, and other places, from going. The. Dunedin firebellj: howevet, had; been,rung, and. just, at this time the Dunedin Brigade made . their appearance witli some of their gear.' Mr. Moloney (the Mayor) and-others-had run =to the floodgates and opened them, thus, as the, tide was up, placing a very good supply of water in the ditch. The Brigade then got the, hose on, arid quickly mastered ' the flames.The Dunedin Brigade- were assisted by the Caversham .and. Morningtoii .bodfos. The water was a ' 'great Vblessihg, and previous to its being obtained very great alarm was

felt by the residents in the vichiity, ahd furniture was being removed in all directions. ■' '

The insurances were as follow Naumann's hall, L6OO, in the New Zealand office; Barclay's three-roomed cottage (with the sheds), also owned by Mr. Naumann, L2lO. in the Norwich Union ; Johnston and Gorman's premises and stock'(the premises being the property of a Mr. David Laing), L3OO, in the Colonial office.