The Late Fire at Skippers,

Otago Witness, Issue 1967, 5 November 1891, Page 11

The Late Fire at Skippers,

TO THM EDITOE. Sib,— As no inquest was thought necessary in con* nechion with the origin of the late fire 46 Mr Bowr-. deau's store at Skippers, the Insurance agents being perfectly satisfied it was purely accidental, the public have only heard astf read a mangled report of the euppoaed origin of the accident. I have baen reauetted to. state on, reliable authority that the fire is. supposed to have originated in the following manner: -At abtJht 30 minutes to 5 on Thursday morning* lait Mr Bourdean called his man to get up and make a fire and go for his borses, as the team had to etart for Qneentfown. She man, having lit the stove, left to look after bit horses. The ground he had to travel over was hilly and undulating, but arriving at a certain point some 300 yds from the b,ouee t he noticed siaoke Issuing from the window

nearest to the stove. He hastened baok, bub Leforc reaching the premises the whole-house was iv a blaze. Mr Bourdeau. who was lying in his bed some few feet from where the stove was situated, and half* dosing, was made oonsoioui of something being wrong by an unusual noise, and the place filling with smoke. Jumping up. be fonnd the kitchen on fire, and that the flanui had got to the ceiliDg and beyond his reaoh. He gave the alarm, busying himself in the meantime in trying to save his trade books, which be partly succeeded iv doing. One petty ledger was, however, destroyed, and those saved were very' muob singed, assistance was soon on the scene, but I am sotjry to say that all efforts proved uteleas, as on their arrival the wbole store and residence were unapproachable. The rear of the premises were broken into, but very few things could be saved. From start to fiuieh it did not take half an hour to reduoo the »tore, stock, residence, and furniture to a»he». The goods saved have been valufd at about £20 ' Themausajs that when he went out everything seemed to be all right ; and Mr Bourdeau appeared rather late on the scene to give an opinion as to the exaot tpot where the fire started- only that it was in the immediate vicinity of the stove. That it was a purely accidental oataitrophe there is not a shadow of a doubt . Mr Bourse;. u is loinewbat fortunate in having bis losses p.mially made up through being insured in tho EaM <i,ai lor £200 and the North British for £500. Mr B >ur<lean tbtimatcs bis loss on the stock ttlo'ne at about £300, aud op premises, tome very valuable fum lure, and private property not less thau £300, making bU total loss £600 Great sympathy is felt for Mr Bourdeau, and be has received letters and telegrams of condolence from most of the leading people of the district.— l am. &c, F. Kitchbk. , Skippers, October 29.