DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN DEE-STREET. INVERCARGILL.

Colonist, Issue 795, 9 June 1865, Page 6

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN DEE-STREET. INVERCARGILL.

(From the Southland Times, May 17)

Once more we are called on to record the ravages of fire. The scene on this occasion waa a building of I almost inestimable value to the public, viz., the Southland Foundry and Iron Works, situate off Deestreet. The establishment occupied n considerable portion of the space between Dee and Leveu-streets, and within its walls were contained all the machinery and utensils requisite for carrying on an extensive business in the foundry line. In less than an hour on Friday night the whole of thia valuable plant was rendered useless. How the fire originated is not yet clearly shown, but the general opinion is that it arose from the flames in one of the furaaces coming in contact wifch the woodwork near it, and spreading thence over nearly the whole building. A few minutes after seven o'clock, a drayman, who was in an adjoining stable, noticed an unusual glare in that part of the foundry nearest Dee-street, and he shouted an enquiry if any one was within. Receiving no answer, he hurried to the place and found that it was on fire. At this stage, ifc is stated that had half a dozen men with buckets of water been at hand, the flames could easily have been subdued, but unfortunately neither men nor water were there, and before they could be brought into operation that portion of the building was a burning mass. No time was lost in giving the alarm, and the Fire Brigade mustered on the spot with the greatest alacrity, but short as the period which had elapsed since its discovery the fire had obtained such a mastery in the building as precluded all hopes of saving it. The efforts of the firemen were therefore directed to the neighboring cottages, and it is gratifying to relate that the endeavors to preserve these were entirely successful. Meanwhile the flames raged in the foundry, and within little more than half an hour after its commencement the fire had destroyed the greater part of the building with its contents. The houses in its neighborhood were repeatedly in danger, but none were ignited, and the only loss sustained by their occupiers was in hastily removing furniture, &c. We regret to state that Mr. Davis was entirely uninsured. His loss, which is estimated at £5000, may almost be regarded as a public one, inasmuch as' there is little chance of the province being soon supplied with the same machinery. By the exertions of his employes the principal books and documents of the firm were saved, but the working stock-in-trade of the foundry may be considered as almost entirely lost.