FIRE IN STOCK EXCHANGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21995, 3 July 1933, Page 10

FIRE IN STOCK EXCHANGE

EARLY MORNING OUTBREAK DAMAGE AT £4OOO The City Fire Brigade effected a particularly good save at an early hour yesterday morning when lire broke out in the rear portion of the Stock Exchange buildiugs. The flames had a good hold in the roof when the brigade arrived, but there was an excellent supply of water and the fire was brought under control before it had time to spread to the front part of the building. The fire was first noticed by the night porter at the Grand Hotel (Mr John Baxter), who saw the flames when he came out to clean the porch of the hotel, He immediately gave the alarm and the brigade was on the scene at 5 a.m. Three engines and the electric ladder were sent out from the Central Station, and the South Dunedin machine was also called in It was found that the blaze had started on the stairway leading to the quarters of the caretaker (Mr H. Griffiths) and had caught the ceiling, the flames soon breaking through the roof. The fire travelled along the side of the building adjacent to the Telegraph Office and also along the back towards Water street. All of the rooms occupied by Mr Griffiths were gutted, and the Toe H Hall, which was previously portion of the Wentworth Tea Rooms, was extensively damalged. Practically the whole of the roof at the back of the building collapsed, making the work of the firemen more difficult, but it was found possible to hold the fire back when it reached the Water street corner of the building,* and the flames travelling towards the front were arrested before they reached the clock tower.

Immediately upon the arrival of the brigade, leads of hose were taken in from Princes street and Bond street, the firemen attacking the flames from the stairways and the windows. The electric ladder was brought into operation at the Water street corner, and it was then possible to direct two streams of water on to the roof. The fire was confined to the roof and the caretaker’s rooms, but many of the downstairs offices suffered considerably as a result of the large amount of water that was poured into the building. All possible precautions were taken to avoid damage of this sort, salvage sheets and sawdust being used freely an the lower floor, but despite this a considerable amount of water penetrated to the business premises at the rear, and furnishings and fittings were affected.

It is estimated that the damage to the building will be about £3OOO to £4OOO, but it was not possible yesterday to find the extent of the damage to the contents. Particulars of insurances were not available, but it is understood that the building, which is the property of the Dunedin Stock Exchange Proprietary, is insured with the A.P.A. Union. The contents of the ground floor are insured in various offices.