FIRE IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1479, 20 March 1880, Page 11

FIRE IN SOUTH DUNEDIN.

A somewhat serious fire occurred in South Dunedin on Wednesday night, just; past the railway crossing. It broke out a little before 11 o'olock, in a small store kept by Messrs Gorman and Johnston, a couple of doors below Naumann's Hall. The fire appears to have been caused, by

the bursting of a kerosene lamp. Mrs Gorman waa alone in the house, and on the e'xploeion rushed out in a fright to give the alarm. In the absence of water, nothirjg whatever could be done to save the building, and the flames soon obtained a strong hold. Nothing whatever was saved from the store or from the dwelling in connection with it. Next to the Btore, and between it and the hail, was a threeroomed cottage, occupied by a family named Barclay. They were roused up, and were fortunate enough to get out their furniture. The flames soon obtained a hold of this building, and also of some sheds at the back, and no water being obtainable, while there was a fresh breeze, they spread to Naumann's Hall, close alongside. As the wall of this was seen to be on fire, it seemed as if nothing could save the hall, and then the Hillside Hotel, Mr Naumann's resideuce next to the hotel in Oargill road, and other places, from going. The Dunedin firebell, however, had been rung, and just at this time the Dunedin Brigade made their appearance with some of their gear. Mr Moloney (the Mayor) and others had run to the floodgates and opened them, thus, as the tide was up, placing a good supply of water in the ditch. The Brigade then got the hose on, and quickly mastered the flames. The Dunedin Brigade were assisted by the Oaversham and Mornington bodies. The water was a great blessing, and previous to its being obtained very great alarm was felt by the residents in the vicinity, and furniture was being removed in all directions. The insurances were as follow:—Naumann's hall, L6OO, in the- New Zealand office j Barclay's three-roomed cottage (with the sheds), also owned by Mr Naumann, L2lO, in the Norwich Union ; Johnston and Gorman's premises and stock (the premises being the property of a Mr David Laing), L3OO in the Colonial office.