THE LUMSDEN FIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3334, 6 February 1918, Page 47

THE LUMSDEN FIRE.

WHOLE BLOCK THREATENED. The cause of the disastrous fire at Lumsden at midday on Sunday (says the Mataura Ensign) is not definitely known, but it is supposed Ijhat the intense heat of the sun was concentrated by a bottle or some other glass, and thus eet fire to dry grass or other rubbish. The thermometer registered lOQdeg in the shade about midday at Lumsden. The grass or rubbish having once been set alight, a breeze which set in from the west quickly caused it to spread to the outhouses at the rear of the Elbow Hotel. Tho stables were soon ablaze, and from there the fire spread to the old garage adjoining. Mr Griffiths's draper's shop then took fire, together with tho butcher's shop of Mr John Marshall, the barber's shop of Mr D. M'Lcod, and billiard room (including two billiard tables), and the post office. All of these were consumed, but by strenuous labour the residents of_ the township managed to save the premises of Mr J. Jack, the Elbow Hotel, and tho railway station, on the opposite side of tho road. These buildings were all _on fire, but as the wind was not blowing in their immediate direction it was possible to save them. The contents of most of the buildings burned were saved. The cash and telephone and telegraph instruments wero got out _nf the post office and railway station. Had the wind been directly from the north-west the whole block would have gone. Most of the property destroyed was owned by Mrs Macpherson. A Press Association message from Tnvercargill states that a trapshed, valued at. £3OO, was insured for £l5O in the Guardian office, and the shop and billiard room, valued at £3OO. and contents at £650, wero insured for £6OO in 'the Guardian office. The drapery shop was valued at £4OO, and the contents at £IOOO. _ Tho insurances on the shop in the Guardian office are £250, and the contents in tho State office for £SOO. J. Marshall, butcher, had £2OO in the New Zealand offico oh tho building, and £65 on tho contents and fittings.