FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5279, 20 January 1879, Page 2

FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

At about half-past 8 o'clock on Saturday evening afire broke out on the premises of Mr Peter Rutherford, storekeeper, Cavcrsham. It appears that an assistant named John Blair was employed in the back part of the storo weighing flour and putting it into tags, when one of the taj <s slipped off the pile and upset » kerosene lamp which lit up the room, as Well as a tin. ofkenrene, The contents of tbe tin were spilled \oa the floor, and, being ignited fey the lamp, the room was soon filled with names. Ths fire spread with such rapidity that it was only with the utmost difficu ty that Mr Rutherford managed to rescue his wife and family. He had no time to save any furniture ; indeed, even his business books had to ba relinquished to the flames. Mr T>. Cameron, the town clerk of Caversham, was the fiSt to givei ths alarm at the Dunedin station, and in as short time as possible the firs reels, comprising ths City Brigide'a and i do'achment of the Morniiii;ton Brig de, made their appearance »t> the scene of Ihe fl.ee. When they arrived it was seen that the flurics had got hold of the entire building. Much difficulty wjs experienced ii getttiiij a supplyol water. Mr lUither'ord, who rsrlinateH h'n loss at £1000, is insured in the fr.llowin; offic-ia — New Zealand, stock, £1000; building-, £1000; Koath Brllisk, furnitura, £.'OO