CONFLAGRATION IN ABERDEEN.

Otago Witness, Volume 14, Issue 2648, 14 December 1904, Page 13

CONFLAGRATION IN ABERDEEN.

The " Granite City " has. been unfortunate lately in the matter of disastrous fires. A few weeks ago the great soap works of | Messrs Ogston and Tennant was the scene I of one of the greatest fires _ever witnessed in Aberdeen, but already this has been "■ eclipsed by a still larger blaze, on September 27, at the distillery iii Hardgafce belongs ing to the Dailuaine-Talisked - Distilleries Company ' (Limited). The fire began in one ~of the bonded warehouses about aj. a.m., and "was caused By the t bottom of a cask falling- out. so the 'spirit caught fire at a, lamp. The flames spread with extraordinary Tapidity, and the next warebouse was invaded by them. The blazing whisky --found its .way into a sewer, and fears were entertained that in this way other buildings might be set on fire, but happily these fears were not realised. The firemen were powerless to -quench the flames, which presented an extraordinarysight, dancing about in a fantastic manner. A heavy door in the first warehouse was wrenched from, its place by an explosion, and hurled the air, alighting close to the ■ firemen, «but providentially without striking anyone. The part of the building! containing the valuable . machinery was I saved, but- the damage was nevertheless j enormous. It included the destruction of 700,000 gallons of whisky and 8000 casks, besides much- injury, to the buildings, and the ! total amount of tlie loss is estimated at ' £106,000. The establishment was insured for £120,000, of which 50 per cent, was in j the Royal Inaurance Qffice, 55 per cent, in the Sun, and 15 per cent, in the Norwich Union. Six hours elapsed Jrom the outbreak of the fire "before it was' got under control, and in. places it continued to blaze all through the following night.