Destructive Fire at Oamaru.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 643, 6 March 1879, Page 2

Destructive Fire at Oamaru.

OAMARU.

This Day. A destructive fire occurred last night which destroyed the block at the corner of Thames and Coquet Streets. It originated m a loft over the kitchen of Cogvin's boarding-house. From Cogvin's it spread to Curries produce store, a vacant shop, Swinard's, tobacconist ; Lipperes, grocer, and Keenan's boarding house, the whole of which were enveloped m one mass of flame within an hour after the first alarm. The buildings were all wood, and the fire burned furiously. The whole block was levelled to the ground m a short time. Scarcely any water was available, and no appliances, with the exception of half-a-dozen buckets. By dint of perseverance Jack Steel and Hendry's agricultural implement manufactory was saved. Nearly all the furniture m Cogvin's and Keenan's was saved, as was a small portion of Curries, Swinard's, and Lippert's stock. There was no wind, or the fire would have extended further still. The following are the insurances : — Lippel's building, including Swinard's shop, £150, fixtures £40, stock £350, all m South British ; Cogvin's buildings £800, furniture £300, also m South British, except £500 on building, which was re-insured m the Norwich Union ; Keenan's buildings, £350 m the New Zealand, furniture uninsured ; Swinard's stock, £75 m New Zaaland office ; Curries building £200, and stock £300, m Victorian Company. Currie and Lippert's stock considerably more than insured. No idea as to the origin of the fire till the inquest is held.