DUNEDIN. FIRES IN SOUTHERN ISLAND.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 1041, 30 November 1870, Page 5 (Supplement)

DUNEDIN. FIRES IN SOUTHERN ISLAND.

A MAN BURNT IN DUNEDIN.

FLAX MILLS BURNT IN WELLINGTON. AND

CANTERBURY.

November 3. — A-bout noon on the 31sfc October a fire broke out in a large iron building in Stuart-street, opposite the gaol, tenanted by Mr. J. W. Jago, and used as a free store. It contained a quantity of flax, flour, rice, iron wire, and other merchandise. At the time mentioned, one of the men working in the store informed Mr. Jago, then in his office, that some loose flax lying on the top of a stack of rice was on fire. Mr. Jago at once ran off to alarm the Fire Brigade, but although that body turned out with great promptitude, by the time they had got their hose to the spot, the store was a mass of roaring flame, which was confined as in a close furnace by the iron walls of the building, but came out, in huge tongues of fire, at the few windows. It was hopeless to attempt to save any of the contents of the store ; but the brigade had the important task to perform of saving the adjacent houses, and some valuable stacks of timber that were lying- close to the back of the burning building. The only houses in imminent danger were two small semidetached cottages lying a few yards from the side of the store ; but although a stiff breeze was blowing, it was not in the direction of tho cottages, and the iron walls so well confined the flames, that a liberal application of water, and some wet blankets, kept the cottages uninjured. To preserve the timber, was, however, a more difficult task, as the wind blew that way, and as soon as the roof and walls fell in, which they did iv about half an hour after the fire commenced, a heavy volume of flame threatened the stacks, and it was all the firemen could do to keep it under control. The gaol was not threatened, but the authorities, in order to preserve it from all danger, kept its side, and a little building standing nigh, constantly wetted by means of an absurd little squirt, the diminutive size of which provoked some amusement.

When the greater part of the building was in ruins, but the flax and other combustibles were still burning fiercely, a dreadful incident occurred. The wind was blowing so strongly that the crowd — several hundreds in number — was enabled to approach very close to what had been the front of the building. While people were thus looking on, a man walked deliberately out of the crowd into the burningmass, and sat down there. A shout of horror arose, and several of those who were standing in the front rank boldly ran into the smoke and flame and attempted to draw tho unfortunate man out, but he wrested himself from their grasp, and scrambled still further into the flames. The firemen who were engaged in protecting the timber at the back of the store, warned by the cries, instantly ran round, and throwing 1 a stream of water upon the spot where the man lay, he was dragged out, and at once conveyed to the hospital. The whole affair was over in two or three minutes. The profound horror which it created may be imagined. The man's name is Thomas Homan, a carpenter by trade, and he has been residing in Georgestreet. Upon examination it was found that he was severely burnt upon all parts of the body except the chest, which his clothes seem to hare protected. During the afternoon and evening he was in a state of delirious excitement, but could occasionally be got to give sensible answers. According to his own account, given in these lucid intervals, he was delirious at the time when he walked into the fire, having abstained some days from drink after a debauch. It is expected that he will not recover. The fire was thoroughly got under in about an hour, but the firemen were at work for a long time afterwards. The total loss is about £5,000, the greater part of which is covered by insurance. As far as we have been able to ascertain, the following are the losses that will fall on the various insurance companies :—: — New Zealand. — Guthrie and Asher's store, full}* iusured, £100; Bates, Sise, and Co., flax, fully insured, £1,035 ; R. P. Hay, flour, fully insured, £235 £1,670 Pacific 500 Australian Alliance ... ... ... 500 London and Lancashire 500 Victoria 960 Total £4,130 The property insured iv the last four companies belonged to Messrs. Bright Brothers and Co., Messrs. George Gray Eussell and Co., and Messrs. McLandress, Hepburn, and Co. The latter firm request us to state that tho interest of all their constituents who had flax in the store is fully covered by their open policies of insurance.

Amongst the uninsured sufferers by the fire are Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Jeffries and Co , and Keith Ramsay.

Volunteers in Canteubuky. — The Canterbury Provincial Council has voted a sum of £50 towards the animal volunteer encampment.