DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 28, 30 May 1912, Page 5

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

FIREMEN INJURED

(Per Press Association i Dunedin, May 2D. A destructive fire occurred here shortly after 0 o’clock to-night, by; which tlic premises of Messrs A ini mo and Blair, seed and grain merchants, suffered extensive damage. The building was a. three-storey one, and the fire seemed to originate in the rear of the third storey. It spread rapidly, however, and soon the whole floor, with a frontage of some 100 feet to Lower High Street, was a mass of flames. On this floor was stored a stock of seeds and some agricultural machinery, and fed by the former the fire gained enormously, and dense clouds of smoke and long tongues of flame rose high into the air, while on the pavement beneath the crash of broken glass from the windows sounded at frequent intervals. The Fire Brigade received a call at five minutes past nine, and having only a short distance to go wore speedily on the scene with fire-fighting appliances. The ladders were run up against the wall, and the firemen started to mount them, hose in hand. One of them, a new ladder, with three men on it, broke in the middle, and all were precipitated to the pavement below. Fireman Baxter sustained a broken leg and Fireman Murray also received some injuries. These were the only accidents in connection with the fire. A fresh ladder was soon rigged up, and from this, as well as from a new escape ladder, the firemen wore soon pouring powerful jets of water upon the flames, which by this time were threatening the. second storey of the building. Two leads were also carried to the rear from Macnndrew Street, and played upon the flames from good positions, with excellent effect. It war, largely owing to the work done in this quarter that the adjoining buildings were saved from catching fire, while the entire absence of wind was also in favour of getting the flames quickly subdued. Jn the most southern corner of the building, where the fire was burning very fiercely, over 6000 corn sacks were stored. On the second floor the agricultural seeds were extensively damaged by fire and water. By 10.00 the tire was practically subdued, ibe insurances arc not available to-night. THE INSURANCES. Dunedin, At ay 00. The whole of the risks wi re held by the Koval Insurance Co. with whom Niiumo and Blair hold a policy of £6600 on the building and £12,000 on the stock, plant .and fittings. Cheese intended for the Winter Show and which was stored in the basement practically escaped undamaged.