DISASTROUS FIRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17157, 9 November 1917, Page 4

DISASTROUS FIRE.

EDMOND'S WAREHOUSE TOTALLY DESTROYED.

DAMAGE GREATLY EXCEEDS

INSURANCE.

TWO FIREMEN INJURED

Tlio fire which broke out in John Edmond's warehouse early yesterday morning is now proved to have been a disastrous one, resulting- in the demolition of the warehouse and practically the whole of the hnmenso hardware stook contained in the buiiding.

It appears that the alarm was received at the Central Fire Station at 2.11 a-m. through the May-Oatway apparatus, and two machines were quickly away and arrived at the epot in less than three minutes alter the alarm was recorded. The machines had scarcely left the station before an alarm was received through the duplex system per medium of the box situated at the comer oi Princes and Stafford streets.

One of the machines was in charge of Superintendent Napier and the otnei was controlled by Deputy Superintendent Salmon. When the brigade arrived dense black emoke was beicning from the Bond street irontage, indicating that the fire then had a linn hold. Superintendent Napier took charge of the operations at the Princes street end, and iiis deputy supervised the work in Bond street. lhe tire was located in the centre of the Bond street building, about midway between the lilt, which was situated in the middle of the warehouse and the Bond street frontage. At first it was only occasionally that the flames could be seen, so dense was the volume of tsmoke, which in a few minutes after the arrival of the brigade, had filled the whole warehouse, and although the firemen, who were attacking th» flames from the Prinzes street side,-on several occasions thought they had got, at the seat of fire, were driven back and still further back by tho smoke and flames. When Superintendent Napier found how serious the outbreak was he called up the South Dunedin firemen, and a machine manned by a foreman and six men was quicklv on the spot. The St. Kilda Brigade, which had volunteered its services in the event of a big fire in the city, was also seDt for. and its machine and crew arrived promptly. The firebell was rung at tho same time, which was a warning to the auxilary fire'non that a big fire was in progress and in a few minutes two auxilary crews wero on tho epot. By this time about 40 firemen and ex-firemen were straining every nerve to master the flames, the centre of the warehouse Having by this time become a raging inferno. Altogether nine leads of hose were pouring water into the warehouse, the pressure being excellent. The deluge, or concentration set was also brought into use. Even this immense volume of water, properly controlled, did not appear to have much, if any, effect. Twenty minutes after the outbreak was discovered the flames reached the lift well, which, acting as a funnel, caused the flames to break through the roof, and excitement became intense. The entire warehouse from cellar to roof then became a Seething mass, and absolutely defied the efforts of the fire-fighters, who worked like demons. Forty minutes after the outbreak the roof collapsed with a deafening roar, and the flames then licked over the edge of the walls separating the warehouse from buildings on either side, and a large section of the firemen then directed their efforts to saving tho adjoining premises. The roof of the Grand Picture Theatre, situated on_ the north side, was the first to becomo ignited, and so intense was the heat that the roof seemed to curl up, and the woodwork caught in numerous places. Smoke filled the theatre, but the firemen quickly had tho flames subdued, though not before considerable damage was done to tho toof and the interior. The costly furnishings and decorations are ruined, and the fibrous plaster coiling is absolutely ' spoiled, it being estimated that restoration will mean an expenditure of £3000. Steel and Co.'s clothing factory, situated on the .third and upper storey of Moritzson and Co.'s building; was also imperilled, and a lead of hose was requisitioned and yater was played on the almost red-hot interior walls, which repeatedly threatened to ignite. and after come thousands of gallons of water had been poured into the factory this building was considered safe. Work, however, could not be resumed in the factory yesterday, but it is hoped that the 50 hands thrown idle will be able to resume to-day.

_ The Public Trnst Office, on the southern side of Edmond's warehouse, had a lucky escape. The roof over the Official Assignee's room caught fire, but a chemical cylinder was brought into use and the fire quickly extinguished. The damage to this building is estimated at £50.

Meantime firemen were still battling with the flames in Edmond's building, and it was not until 4 a.m. that the fire could be said to bo under control. The firemen, however, continued to play watc on tho flames, and it was close on' midday before the fire was entirely subdued. As a matter of fact, there were fresh outbreaks until a late hour last night. The building is a total wreck internally. The outer walls still stand, and a few stained packages can be seen on the shelves in the front of the shop.

The bulk of the firm's books and documents are in the strong room, and the manager (Mr W. iF. Edmond) anticipates that they will be found intact when the debris has cooled' sufficiently to permit of the strong room door being opened. Mr Edgar Hazlett, on behalf of the firm of Maclcerras and Hazlett, promptly offered Mr Edmond and his staff temporary accommodation in their premises in Bond street, which offer has been accepted. Tlie origin of the fire is a mystery, the staff having left tho building at 5.30 p.m. on _ Wednesday, ae usual. Mr Andrew Sinclair (warehouse manager) was back in the evening, and left at 8.30 o'clock, when everything appeared to be normal. An unfortunate accident occurred when tho fire was burning at it 3 fiercest, resulting in two firemen being injured—Firstclass Fireman Wm. Adamson and Probationary Fireman G. Goldsmith. Both men were standing on a. ladder using a lead of hose through a window which opens on a right-of-way on the southern side of the warehouse, when a sudden eruption of smoke or flame ie supposed to have precipitated them to the ground. Both men were taken to the Hospital, and were found to bo bruised and knocked about, but it is anticipated that t they will be discharged from the institution in a day or two. It was at first surmised that a quantity of explosives were stored on the premises, and were responsible for detonations heard at intervals. Mr Sinclair (warehouse manager) assures us, however, that the only explosives on the premises were a smail quantity of pea rifle cartridges. The stock of ammunition was unusually low. The firm's oil store, alongside the demolished warehouse, was saved.

Members of the Police Force rendered valuable' assistance in keeping tho crowd back.

Superintendent Napier, -whilst giving every credit to his firemen, informed a Daily Times reporter that yesterday's conflagration convinced him that more experienced men were essential when it came to coping with a really big fire. "The men worked excellently," said the superintendent, " but, being mostly new hands, they lacked the experience so essential when a fire of some magnitude has to be dealt with. I feel the position very strongly. I told the Military Service Board when I appealed for some of my men that it was _ making a mistake, and now my warning is verified." The insurances on John Edmond's building, which is owned by the firm, are: — Guardian £500, New Zealand £500, South British £500, London and Lancashire£lCOO, Royal £500, _ Standard _ £750 (partly reinsured). Phoenix £500, Liverpool and London and Globe £750; —total, £5000. The insurances on Edmond's stock are: — Alliance Assurance £1500, Atlas £500. Australian Alliance £1000, Commercial Union £1000, Guardian £1500, L.L. and Globe £500, London and Lancashire £1000, New Zealand £1000, Northern £1000, North British £1000, Norwich Union £ICCO. Phcenix £1000, Queensland £1500. Royal Exc. itigo £2000, Royal Insurance Coin piny £1500. South British £500, Standard £3500 (largely reinsured), State £2000, United £3500. Victoria £500-total, £25 OCO.

Mr Edmond states that the value of th© stcok destroyed was greatly in excess of the insurance owing to the fact thai: the majority of the goods aro now practically unprocurable. Tho value of the building and fittings was estimated at about £7000. The Grand Theatre was insured for £4500 in ho Standard, but that company js largely reinsured. The loss is estimated by the underwriters at about £1000.

Steel's factory stock is insured for £1500. Tho damage is not uery jproat.