DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN OTAGO.

Colonist, Volume VIII, Issue 801, 30 June 1865, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN OTAGO.

(From the Otago Daily Times)

A vert destructive fire took place at Port Chalmers on the evening of the 18th instant, involving the loss of a large amount of valuable property. About halfpast six o'clock the premises of Mr. Haddock, tinman, George-street, were observed to be in flames, which rapidly spread to the store 'of Messrs. M'Lean and Co., —thence to a building occupied by a bootmaker, whose name we did not learn; nor were they arrested until the shop of Mr. Scott, tailor, and the billiardroom kept by Mr. J. Lees, were consumed. The Naval Brigade, under the command of Captain Thompson and Lieutenant Robinson, mustered without delay, and used every exertion to save the property. In this they were zealously seconded by the inhabitants of the Port, and to the exertions thus made it is owing that a considerable amount of moveable stock was rescued. It was a fortunate circumstance that the steamship Alhambra arrived in the Port yesterday, as Captain M'Lean, with his characteristic promptitude and energy, caused his ship's fire-engine to be landed with all possible dispatch, and by the judicious use made of it, and the application of wet blankets to the gable end of the Anchor Hotel, kept by Mr. Hornby, the fire was confined to the block of buildings in which it first began, and ■which were consumed..

Nothing has been ascertained as to the cause of the fire. It commenced in the part, of Mi*. Haddock's premises which, lias been used as a dwelling, although at the time no one was there, he having left a short time previously and looked up the place. The total amount of damage done is roughly estimated at £4530. Mr. Haddock, we believe, was not insured. Messrs. Maclean and Co., it is understood, hold a policy for £1500 with the British and Mercantile Insurance Company, but this will not nearly cover their loss, which is estimated afc £3000.