FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1418, 25 January 1879, Page 9

FIRE AT CAVERSHAM.

At about halt-past 8 o'clock on Saturday evening a , fire broke out on the premises of Mr Peter Rutherford, 1 storekeeper, Caversham. It appears that an assistant named John Blair was employed in the back part of the store weighing flour and putting it into bags, when one.of the bags slipped off the pile and upset a kerosene lamp which lit up the room, as well as a tin of kerosene. The contents of tbe tin were spilled on the floor, and, being ignited by the lamp, the room was soon filled with flames. The fire spread with such rapidity that it was only with the utmost difficulty 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 be relinquished to the flames. Mr I>. Cameron, the town clerk of Caver- ' sham, was the first to. give the alarm at the Dunedin station, and in as short time as possible the fire reels, comprising the Oity Brigade's and a detachment of the Mornington Brig 'de, made their appearance at the scene of the fire. When they arrived it was seeu that the flames had got hold of the entire building. Much difficulty was experienced in getting a supply of water. Mr Rutherford, who (estimates his loss at £1000, is insured in the following ounces :— New Zealand, stock, £1000; building, £1000; South British, furniture, £200.