DUNEDIN BLAZE

Southland Times, Issue 19859, 3 May 1926, Page 8

DUNEDIN BLAZE

TOP FLOOR GUTTED CLOTHING FACTORY DESTROYED BRIGADE SAVES REST OF BUILDING. (Per United Press Association.) Dunedin, May 1. Extensive damage by fire was caused to Moritzson’s building at the corner of Bond and Jetty streets early this morning. The fire had a strong hold when discovered, and when the brigade arrived the flames had burst through the roof and the top windows, while dense volumes of smoke drifted over the city. The brigade had a difficult task before it, but by its splendid efforts prevented the outbreak spreading to the second and lower floors. The whole top portion of the building, occupied by Steel and Co., clothing manufacturers, was completely gutted, and the contents reduced tq cinders. The upper floors burned through in places, and the tobacco stocks of W. D. and H. O. Wills, Limited, on the second floor were seriously damaged by the water and falling debris which poured through great gaps in the floor. A. J. Ainge and Co. occupied the basement and the firm’s stock of wines and spirits suffered to some extent, there being nearly a foot of water in the cellar and the cases consequently soaked. The building was a very substantial one, and has been the scene of several fires within the past few years. Everything appeared safe when Steel and Co.’s employees and the manager left the premises at 11.45 a.m. on Saturday. The outbreak is thought to be due to the fusing of an electric wire. Ainge’s stock was insured for £5OOO, but the amount of insurance on the building and Wills’s stock is not available. Steel’s stock was insured for £2OOO. The stock consisted principally of suitings and hundreds of overcoats in a completed state to Jfulfil large orders from Christchurch and Wellington. The firm employed between 40 and 50 hands, mostly girls, and these are now out of employment.