FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 43

FIRES.

Fire destroyed a house of seven rooms in Gordon road, Mosgiel, about 4 a.m. on Monday. The building was. owned by Mr Al E. Bacon, and occupied by Mr T. Williams and family. It was insured for £350 with the London and Lancashire Co., but the tenant's furniture was uninsured. The family lost practically all their effects. The Mosg>el Fire Brigade extinguished the flames beforo the building was completely gutted, and saved the adjoining block of buildings of Messrs Frew Bros, (pastrycooks and bakers). . •

(Fbom Oob Own Corbespondbnt )

. BALCLUTHA, February 18. An outbreak of lire at Mr George Petrie's flaxmill, llomahapa, early this afternoon destroyed a considerable amount of valuable f\bre, two scutching sheds, and two scutching' machines used in connection with the mill. Fortunately the bulk of the fibre had been removed from the shed, and only two tons of undressed fibre were left, which wero destroyed. The owner of the mill was the first to notice the fire, which it is supposed was caused by a spark from the engine. Ho hurried to tho scene, calling out to tho men as ho did so, but the flames had then obtained too great a hold to permit of their being subdued. The sheds and their contents blazed fot half an hour, and everything was consumed. The engine was housed in a separate shed, and escaped damage. Mr Petri© estimates his loss at about £2OO.