A SAWMILL BURNED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 36

A SAWMILL BURNED.

News was received in town on July 26 that the cawniill belonging to Messrs Dawson Mid M'Keohnie vb Rarfanui, in the Oatlins district, had been totally destroyed by fire. The mill was acquired by Messrs Dawson and M'Kechnie from the late Mr W. Garlton, who on leaving Dunedin took up his residence at Cations. No particulars ac to the fire are available, but it is understood that everything was destroyed. Further particulars about the fire which occurred a.t Ratanui on Friday are to band, and it appears that Messrs Dawson and M'Kedhnie's sawmill was burned down and damage done- to the extent of £400. The mill was all right at 11.30 on the previous evening. About 1 o'clock on Friday morning, however, the boilers blew off, which was unusual, and woke up Mr Robert Chalmers, who. seeing that the mill was on fire, raised the alarm. The building being little more than an open shed, and there being a quantity of shavings and dry wood lying about, the fire spread very rapidly, the mill being practically destroyed within 10 minutes of the discovery. Some parts of the machinery were saved, and will be fit for future use. The property was not insured. The cause of the fire can only be guessed at, but the owners of the building are satisfied that it arose accidcnt-lv.