DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4174, 5 July 1875, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

About half-past eleven o'clock on Saturday night, the fire-bell rang an alarm for High Ward, and shortly afterwards a (ieice glare was observed over lioslyn way. The Fire Brigade turned out promptly with hook and ladder carriage, but after proceeding at a brisk rat-i up the steep hill as far as the Salutation Hotel, they were informed that it was merely a bush confligration, and consequently returned. Three members of the Brigade afterwards walked out, and the small engine was also despatched to the Kaikorai Valley on it becoming known that the tire was raging at Mr Charles Flexman's tannery and wool-scouring premises. The fellmongery was composed of a number of wooden sheds, covering about an acre of ground, and the scene of seething fire as viewed from the hill above was indescribably grand, an immense amount of tallow adding fuel to the flames. The whole district was illuminated, and the lurid glare reflected in the sky could be seen for miles around. About 200 men volunteered their services, and by extending themselves in a. line, passed buckets of water from a creek in the vicinity. There was little orno wool toburn, but a larga quantity of curried leather was stored in the sheds, and by the endeavours of those present a great deal was saved. The fire was firßt discovered by a currier named Wm. Woodcock, who, when about to retire to rest on the premises, at a quarter past eleven observed a light in the engine house. The engine had been working the previous day, and the driver, Mr Carradus, as was customary, did not extinguish the live embers, but banked them up close. . The fire continued until daylight the following morning. Mr Flexman allowed a £1000 policy to lapse last week, and the Australian Alliance Co. re-in-sured £500 through the S mth British on

Thursday last. We understand that the following are the correct amounts insured on the buildings and stock in the various offices, making a total of £8000: —Transatlantic, £2500; Norwich Union, £1000; lloyal, £1000; Victoria, £1000: South British, £1000 ; Now Zealand, £900. Mr FJexman estimates his loss at £5000 over andjabove amount insured.