FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10035, 23 December 1910, Page 1

FIRES.

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S BUILDINGS GUTTED.

GREAT DAMAGE. [Pee, Phess Association.]

DUNEDIN, December 22. A disastrous fire broke out. shortly before nine o'clock this evening in tho Otugo Agricultural and Pastoral Society's big block of buildings in Crawford Street, and resulted in the structure being completely gutted. The fire obtained an extraordinarily big hold before any warning was given, and defied all efforts of the united brigades tc subdue it. The building was comprised of four brick halls extending from Crawford Street through to Vogel Street, and having a frontage of about seventy yards. The upper portion, where the fire started, comprised the Brydone Hall and a skating rink. Half the lower floor was occupied by Messrs John Chambers and Son, machinery agents, carrying a stock of machinery, oilmen's stores, etc., to the extent of about £15,000, which is a total loss. The other half was occupied by Messrs Waters, Ritchie and Co., grain, seed and wool merchants, who carried about £SOOO worth of stock of grain and seed, which is a total loss, in the portion, about £2OOO being; their own stock and the remainder belonging to clients. The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, Messrs Bray Bros., the National Electric and Engineering Company, Mr John Chambers, Mr Harraway, and Messrs Clark and M'Ara's offices were in front of the buildings. The insurances were:—On the building : South British £3IOO, New Zealand £IOOO, Victoria £IOOO, Standard £SOO, North British £IOOO and Queensland £400: _ on the stock, Messrs Waters and Ritchie: London and Lancashire £IOOO, Alliance £IOOO, Queensland £SOO and Liverpool and London and Globe £IOOO. There is some doubt with regard to the last-mentioned item. Messrs John Chambers and Son's stock was insured in the Commercial Union Of Bee for £6200.

Graham, a member of the South Duneclin Fire Brigade, sustained a broken ankle, a broken nose and internal injuries. A civilian also was hurt, but tlie nature of his injuries is not known at present. Another fi a broke out about 11.15 p.m. in Tain'd chemical stores in Crawford Street, seme 300 yards south of the big fire in the Agricultural and. Pastoral Society's buildings. The fire started in a back room in the top efcorey, and was suppressed without much difficulty, the damage done being comparatively small. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is not supposed that it was caused by a spark fro a the big fire, an the wind was blowing .in a contrary direction. The insurances were not ascertainable to-night.