Fire in Dee street.

Southland Times, Issue 4323, 18 May 1882, Page 2

Fire in Dee street.

Last night about 11.30 Nonstable Maher, while on duty in Doo street near the Club Hotel, became conscious of an unusual odour of burning material. On going down tho right-of-way between the hotel and Messrs A. Mair and Co.'s promises, he found that a large iron building at the rear of Messrs We'r's and Lawlor's premises was on fire. He at once made for the firebell, and tbe first peal of alarm being taken up by the night hands at the railway station, they set tho whistles of the locomotives going in unearthly chorus. The idea was a good one, however, and directed attention to the proper quarter. The brigade turned out smartly, but (as Councillor Hatch remarked at last meeting of Council) their engine made a fool of them. The building on fire was the property of Mr 1). Roche, who was one of those burnt out by the great fire in the same street in January last. It was an extensive place, used as a store, and had been a good many years in existence. Its position was such as io excite the gravest apprehensions. The back gable abutted on the Club bowling green ; the north-west corner of the buiMiug being close up to .Mr A. F. Gallacher's bakery, tho oven of which must have nearly touched the destroyed building. On its s mth side it lined at a distance of about 15 feet, with a similar iron erection, formerly the drapery warehouse of Messrs Mair and Co., but now relegated to the back yard. On its northern side the store lined with Sloan's Theatre ; being about 14 feet from it. A space of about 40 feet separated it from the new brick buildings fronting the street, which was fortunate, the back walls being full of large windows. Tha tire broke out in the cornerof the building adjoining the bakery, and. thanks to the construction ofthe building ami the absence of many windows, its spread was considerably retarded; so uueli so that the brigade had time to get into position before the flames threatened the surrounding buildings. There was little wind • what there was being from a dangeious quarter — about north-west. A detachment of the bri^rule moucted tho roof of the bakery, and with tllO help of volunteers ami Mr Gallacher himself (who worked like an iron man, so careless was he of the heat) they managed to save tho bakery, although the gable was burnt out : the oven wall proving a great protection. Meanwhile the lire spread through Mr Roche's store, which was a building apparently about 70 feet long by 25 in width. By this time it was apparent that the brigade had the fire well ia hand, and volunteers speedily removed several small erections an I stacks of timber out of the way. Within an hour nothing remained to do but to watch the embers. Mr Roche, we regret to learn, is not insured. Oc the other hand, it is fortunate that there was nothing in the store, in proportion to its bulk ; its contents being beer and stout. As to its origin, Mr Roche says that he does not think there ever was a fire in it since it was built. He was last in tho store on Tuesday afternoon. Mr Gallacher's oven was spoken of as a probable cause of the fire. It certainly began at the back of the oven ; and on examination this was seen to be rent to a small extent, but it would be unsafe to say positively that the fire had its origin there. Mi Gallacher also was uninsured, and his dameges must be heavy, although the bakery was saved. In conclusion, it is worthy of note that a party of volunteers rendered most efficient service, while the brigade mustered in force and did well.