FATAL FIRE.
N.Z. Iron and Woodware Co.’s Building totally destroyed.
FOUR MEN KILLED.
BUILDINGS INSURED FOR ABOUT £75,000.
The most disastrous fire that has occurred in Dunedin for many years broke out about half-past one o’clock yesterday, in the premises known as Guthrie and Larnach's Dunedin Iron and Woodware Company, situated in Princes street south. The occurence is a lamentable one, not only on account of the loss of life unfortunately to be associated with it, but also because of the great loss of property involved, and the large number of workmen who have been thrown out of employment. It will be remembered by many that the same Company’s buildings, that previously occupied the same site, were burnt down about twelve years ago. New premises of substantial construction were then speedily erected, and it is these that have now been laid waste. They had a frontage of 183 ft to Princes street and Bond street, with a depth from one street to the other of 122 ft. The building, although practically only one, was divided by strong party walls into four separate departments, that at the northern being occupied by the woodware factory, the next devoted to offices in the Princes street frontage and the woodware stock-rooms at the back, the third to the storage of hardware goods, and the fourth — at the extreme southern end — to furniture show-rooms and warehouses. Until the last year or two over 400 hands were employed in the whole establishment, but at the time of the fire this number had been reduced — owing to the comparative dulness in trade — to something under 200. About four years ago the old firm of Guthrie and Larnach was wound up, and the business has since been carried on by the Bank of New Zealand. In erecting the new building great precautions against damage by fire were taken, the doors leading from one department to another being made of thick iron, while perforated pipes were laid round all the floors through which water could be turned in sufficient quantity to flood them — but, as will be seen further on, the fire spread so quickly that no one was able to reach the hydrant and turn on the water.
The fire appears to have originated in the back part of the factory, somewhere near where the timber drying-room was situated, but as yet there is no certainty on this point. The first sign of danger was observed by a young man named John McKelvey, employed in the Evening Star office. He was passing along Princes street, and, seeing smoke issuing from the roof of the factory, at once gave the alarm from the Imperial Hotel to the Fire Brigade station. The Brigade turned out instantaneously, and were quickly followed by the Railway Brigade, these being in turn supplemented in rapid succession by the North Dunedin contingent aud the suburban brigades of South Dunedin, Caversham, and Roslyn. The Salvage Corps were among the earliest on the spot, and its members did a lot of good work. Owing to the intensely inflammable nature of the goods and material in the woodware factory, when the conflagration originated, the flames spread with astonishing celerity, and it was evident from the outset that an arduous task was before those whose task it was to cope with them. First the factory, with its splendid assortment of valuable machinery, succumbed, while simultaneously the fire was breaking into the office and woodware department on the south side, and looking very dangerous on the northern side, which is flanked by the building known as the Spanish Restaurant. At the occasion of the fire twelve years ago the old wooden restaurant of that name became a victim to the flames, but this time, the structure being of brick, and the Brigade keeping the flames at that point well in check, no damage was done to it except perhaps a little to the roof. This building was subsequently made good use of by a length of hose being carried to its roof, whence it played on the vast body of flames in the factory. Despite the large number of jets that were brought to bear from both Princes street and Bond street on the fire, it burnt so fiercely that before two o’clock large portions of the back wall of the factory had fallen into Bond street, and a few minutes afterwards the front wall fell with a tremendous crash into Princes street. With fearful quickness the office block right through into Bond street was gutted, and next, despite all efforts, the flames burst with a roar into the upper portion of the hardware department. For some little time after this some people were visible through the windows in the second storey engaged in getting out goods, but they had soon to beat a retreat and lend a hand in saving property from the furniture block. The Salvage Corps, aided by numbers of willing hands, had from the commencement been hard at work in getting out pianos, mirrors, and the other valuable articles of furniture with which this portion of the premises was stocked, and a very large quantity was saved. The system adopted was to smash the windows and lower the articles down there from by ropes and cords; and, though many pieces of furniture were damaged in the haste which necessarily characterised the movements of the workers, the street was soon filled with goods, which, at a later hour, were carted away and stowed in one of the railway sheds. As the flames approached the wall of this department it appeared impossible to save it, but owing in great measure to the use of a length of hose which was taken into the top storey, and by which water was kept steadily playing on the roof, the partition wall, and the iron doors, the fire was at last stopped from spreading farther. Great fears for the safety of the twenty or thirty persons who were engaged on all three floors in saving property were, however, felt by the large crowds of spectators grouped about the spot, and, owing to their repeated warning cries, several almost ludicrous scenes occurred. Several times the salvors made for the open windows, and slid down to the ground by the fire-ladders, hose, ropes, or anything that was of any assistance to them, and it is almost miraculous that some of them were not seriously injured. On finding, however, that the block was still intact they returned to the charge and in a few seconds were as busy as ever in their good work. All of them, members of the Salvage Corps or otherwise, deserve great credit for the brave and indefatigable manner in which they worked.
The Fire Brigades worked, one and all most arduously; but, owing doubtless to the enormous area of ground over which their operations extended, and to the number of different corps which assisted, there was occasionally some little want of order observable. The police also did good work, but they found it impossible to prevent several people from dodging past and getting into dangerous proximity to falling walls and debris. No accidents, however, happened to any except such as unhappily were killed while endeavoring to save property from the hardware department. Looking at the enormous crowds of people that thronged wherever a close view of the fire was obtainable, and at the many frantic rushes that were made whenever any part of the building fell, this may be considered very fortunate.
It is not yet known whether or not an official inquiry will be held upon the cause of the fire, but inquests on the bodies were held this afternoon.
Several of the buildings on the opposite side of Princes street were badly scorched, and many windows in them were broken by the heat. Water was, however, kept playing on the houses during the afternoon, and, as the wind was fortunately blowing in a southerly direction there was never at any time much cause for fear of their becoming ignited.
Towards evening those portions of the back wall that were standing in a threatening position were pulled down, but not without some difficulty. Ropes were first thrown over the upper portions, but several broke before the wall yielded. However, at last it came down, and with it the last probable source of danger in connection with the catastrophe.
The Company saved all the papers in their office, and their books are stored away in a fireproof room, which is at present covered by debris. It is believed that the books will be found to be quite uninjured. The insurances are estimated by the Company to amount to about L76,000, while the damage is fully L50,000.
The Fatal Occurrences.
From the reckless manner in which many men rushed into the burning buildings to save the contents it soon became apparent that serious consequences must result. As the flames gradually found their way to the southern end of the block of buildings the excitement of the crowd of volunteers who were engaged in saving property seemed to increase, and despite warnings which were freely given they refused to leave posts which they had taken up at a time of perfect safety, but which later on became associated with the greatest peril. Utterly regardless of consequences, they continued their self-imposed task of getting out as much stuff through the windows and doorways as possible. There were many, too, who seemed to be in the buildings with no earthly object. We ourselves saw several men walking about before the open windows upstairs with apparently no other idea than being seen by the crowd of onlookers below. They did not beat a retreat until they began to feel the smoke rather inconvenient, and more than one had to make a descent by the Fire Brigade ladders.
Shortly after three o’clock the catastrophe occurred which has resulted in the loss of four lives, and has filled the whole town with sorrow. It appears that through an opening in the basement of the building at the south-east corner of the buildings access could be gained to the ironmongery department upstairs, and a number of volunteer workers made their way up, and were doing their best to save a large quantity of goods. They did so in perfect safety for a time, but the noise of falling walls gave them warning which they should not have allowed to pass unheeded. Moreover, Mr Henderson (manager of the Company) and others begged of them to desist in work which could only be carried on at the risk of their own lives. The majority of the men left the building in time, but a few remained behind, and just at this time the top floor gave way, and then the ones underneath. The result was that several had a narrow escape, and at least one — a sailor named Robert Wallace, belonging to the vessel Waimate was buried in the debris. A rescuing party was immediately formed, and every effort was made to extricate Wallace, who could be seen half exposed. The lower part of the man’s body was, however, jammed between bricks and ironware, as if in a vice, and the task of rescuing him proved a hopeless one. All the debris was more or less heated, and the man suffered inexpressible agony. A hose was turned on the spot where he lay, or he would have met his death by burning, and stupendous efforts were put forth by means of crowbars and pieces of timber, used as levers, to get him out. But the case proved hopeless, and in the middle of their operations the rescuing party were surprised by a second crash of the floorings, and, as was subsequently discovered, Edward Esquilant, twenty-three years of age, and a son of Mr Esquilant, the well-known bookbinder, Andrew Miller, head carter of the Woodware Company, and another man who has not been identified, were thus buried. Miller and the last-mentioned man must have met their death instantaneously, for they were completely covered, but Esquilant’s head and shoulders were to be seen. Wallace remained exposed in the same condition as he was before. Then followed a most pitiable scene for hours. Both Esquilant and Wallace suffered the acutest pain within sight of friends, and, in the case of the former, relatives. Both his father and brother could do nothing but look on at a party of willing hands, who, stripped to the waist, worked hard to remove the mass of iron manufactured articles in which the sufferers were entangled. Esquilant more than once expressed the desire to be at once put out of misery, and Dr Brown, who remained with him until his rescue, administered chloroform to him. Drs Ferguson and MacIntyre were also in attendance. Wallace, who was supplied with brandy and water, bore up very well, but it was evident that he was suffering greatly.
Before six o’clock Wallace was got out and driven to the Hospital in the ambulance which was in waiting, and shortly afterwards the bodies of Miller and the man who has not yet been identified were recovered. They were removed to theNewmarket Hotel. Esquilant was not extricated until about seven o’clock, when it was found that the lower portion of his body was practically lifeless. He was removed to the hospital, but it was patent to the medical men who were stationed there that neither he nor Miller could recover, and they both breathed their last about ten o’clock.
Miller was forty years of age, and leaves a wife and large family to mourn his loss. The other man whose body was discovered looked about thirty, and to all appearances was a sailor.
Search was continued in the debris during the night and this morning, in case further fatalities might have taken place, but no more bodies were found.
Other Accidents.
Many accidents — some of which were of a minor nature, however, and are not worth recording — took place in the course of the afternoon. A member of the Salvage Corps named Galloway received a severe concussion on his head, but after some medical attention was able to move about; and Foreman Bowers got his leg rather badly hurt by some bricks falling on him. E. B. Macfarlane was admitted to the Hospital suffering from a fracture of the leg and severe bruises about the ankle, and he was attended to by Dr Maunsell. Four or five of the medical students of the University were in attendance at the Hospital, and rendered valuable assistance to the staff in dealing with the cases which came in. f
Smith’s Statement.
Frederick Smith, a seaman living at the Anchor Hotel, states; As soon as the alarm was given I hastened to the fire, broke open the front door, and assisted to get the furniture out. Esquilant and two others were alongside of me when I first perceived danger. The staircase was just about to give way when I called out to Gallaway, one of the Salvage Corps, “For God’s sake, stand clear.” Gallaway stumbled; and, fearing that his life would he lost, I seized him by the legs and dragged him out with me. When I got outside I was all but exhausted. Besides the two men who were working alongside of me I knew of two others who were further in the building. I was nearly smothered by water from the hose.
Gallaway’s Statement.
F. Gallaway says that he would probably have been killed had not Smith assisted him to escape. He was tripped by something falling in front of him.
The Manager's statement.
Mr Henderson, manager of the Company, has made the following statement to the Press: — The whole factory was in a blaze when I saw the fire from my residence at Eglinton. That was just at half-past one o’clock. I ran down, and my first idea was to turn the water on so as to flood the buildlng. Water-pipes were laid along the joists turough the centre of each flat as security against fire, and the hydrant was under the staircase to the left of the factory door in Princes street. The flames, however, had at this time engulphed the staircase, and it was impossible to get near the hydrant. There were people clearing the office, the Company’s hands directing and assisting. Everything was taken out of the office that was moveable. The papers were all saved, and the books of the Company are in iron safes in a concrete strong-room, so that they will be preserved, though the strong-room is covered with debris. I then went round to Bond street and got the door of the hardware department (the second department from the south end) broken open. We went up the stairs and found all the iron doors closed, and no sign of fire in that portion of the building. At this time the woodware building, which was behind the office and fronting Bond street, was not on fire, but the flames from the factory were very high and fierce, and as the wind was blowing towards the woodware department no attempt was made to save from that part of the building, as the risk would have been too great. We got a hose in at the third storey of the hardware building, and played on the flames from the inside through a window in the wall between the office and the woodware department. I left the men working there, and went outside to see what progress the fire was making, and found that the upper storey of the hardware building had caught. I returned immediately to the men and told them to leave off, and in a short time they came down to the basement storey. It is necessary to explain that a railway siding runs through the basement storey from the south end of the building to the factory, there are large iron doors in the partition walls, which are closed when trucks area n&t being run through the building to' the factory. Near the door dividing the furniture department from the hardware department spades and shovels were stored. There was no fire then near this quarter, and several men were removing the shovels, I left to look outside again, and when I returned the floor above where the shovels were lying had fallen in and carried the shovels and the racks in which they were stacked with it, and buried one man to just above his waist. We started to get the man out. Some sailors and others were trying to pull him out by his arms and clothes, but it was quite impossible to move him he was fixed as if in a vice. The flames were now within sight, and the smoke was coming occasionally, but the draught kept it back for the most part and we could see him distinctly. I saw from the quantity of stuff on the man that he could not be brought out, and I said to one who was nearer him, “Ask him his name,” but in the excitement I did not hear any reply. When we saw we could not pull him out, a large piece of timber was brought to try and prise the stuff off him. Several of us got on the timber, but we could not lift the material at all. I then went out and sent in several other pieces of timber to be used as levers, and the second crash took place when I was out sending in more timber. I understand from Mr Wallace and Mr Bridger, who were inside at the time, that Andrew Miller passed in with a crowbar, and with two or three other men went within the hardware building to try to raise the material that was holding the man down, and that then the crash took place and covered all who were inside. When I got back the whole face of the archway was blocked, and the firemen called out that several people had been buried. The flames were now creeping through the beams, but hoses were set to work to keep the fire from spreading to where the men were buried. The man who was first caught by the falling material was still lying in the same position, half-way out of the mass that had fallen; and another man was lying, at the opposite corner of the archway, with his head just visible. The man who was first caught was struggling violently and calling for help. I got the firemen, who were playing on the factory, to put on an extra branch, and four jets of water were kept playing on this part of the building. Mr Fergus, M.H.R. assisted by directing the operations of a number of men who volunteered to try and remove the debris that had fallen on the men. The work was persisted in for a long time, and ultimately two dead bodies were recovered, and two men were got out alive. Soon after the second fall Dr Brown arrived, saw the men, sent for chloroform, and administered it to one of them. My attention was entirely confined to this part of the building after the accident. A great deal of the furniture was removed from the furniture department by the members of the Salvage Corps, and by the Company’s hands and other volunteers, but what was taken from the hardware department was very trifling. None of the debris fell outside the archway, and when the second crash came Messrs Bridger and Wallace sprang from the doorway into the furniture warehouse, but a piece of the material that fell struck Mr Bridger on the ankle.
I cannot conceive of any way in which the fire could have originated. Everything was safe when the premises were left on Saturday afternoon. A man named Faithful acts as watchman on Saturday afternoon until relieved by the night watchman at 5 p.m. The night watchman is not on duty on Sunday, but the other man was down at ten o’clock on Sunday morning, and found everything right then, and he was on his way to pay another visit of inspection when the fire-bell rang. The watchman would have gone on duty again at 5 p. m., and have remained until relieved by the engine fireman in the morning. One of the Company’s clerks walked down from church at half-past twelve, and called at the factory office to get a book, and there was then no sign of fire or smoke in the factory. The fire must have originated in the back part of the factory, near Bond street. The boiler and engine-house are separated from the factory by a strong brick wall, and there is nothing of an inflammable nature in these rooms, all waste and oil being locked up in a safe, and a fire would not smoulder long in the factory, where it evidently started.
I cannot give any definite information regarding insurances until the books and papers are obtained from the strong-room; neither can I give any estimate of the value of the property destroyed. One result of the destruction of the property will be that about 160 hands, the best workmen the Company has had, will be thrown out of employment. The man Andrew Miller, who lost his life while trying to rescue a fellow-being, was an old and respected servant of the Company, and had for years been the head carter. He leaves a wife and eight children.
Mr Donaldson’s Statement.
Mr Donaldson, of the Naval Brigade, relating the occurrence, says: — There were ten or twelve people, including two constables, in the basement of the hardware store when we heard the flooring above giving way, and called out to them to run. Most of them ran out in time, but on turning round we heard Wallace cry out for help. We went back to him, and I helped a fireman and others to play a hose on the spot. Others got hold of a bit of wood and were using it as a lever. I heard Miller sing out “For God’s sake give us a hand,” and we could see the man half out of the ruins. At this moment the second fall occurred, burying the rescuers. And going back I also saw Esquilant’s head: He spoke, and was asking for water from time to time.
Constable Chisholm’s statement.
Constable Chisholm says: — I had hold of the Sailor Wallace after the first fall, and was trying to drag him out. He was sensible, and said that there was something gripping his feet and legs. I was bending down over him when I heard a cry, and someone dragged me backwards by the clothes just in time. The second fall came just in front of me, and fragments struck me on the head and shoulders. It was a narrow escape. My opinion is that Miller was caught by the second fall. Miller had only just rushed in with a crowbar in his hand, when the beam cracked and the first fall came down. I could see no one else except a man whose name I was told was Willis and Esquilant. I was standing in the archway, and heard someone cry: “ My God, there’s a man caught in the fire.” Wallace was in a sort of cave; he could speak and lift his arm. He waved his arm to show me he was caught. I and Constable Clark got a hold of him, but we could not get him out. Then another fall of stuff came down, and only that beam [pointing to an immense rafter] saved my life. At the time of the fall there were scores of persons in the store, and they ran out at the first alarm. I believe there are some bodies in that heap [pointing to the heap of rubbish and iron, weighing several tons, from which Esquilant and Miller were taken.]
McEwen’s story.
Francis McEwen, laborer, stated as follows; I was outside in Bond street helping to shift the furniture which had been chucked out. I was all drenched and went inside. I saw a few bedsteads on the top of a case, and started to take them down. I heard a crack, threw the bedstead in my hand down, and went to the archway where I saw Constables Chisholm and Clark trying to help Wallace but I saw another fall of stuff coming and dragged the constables back. I then went back and said there were four or five men buried, and we should try and get them out. I thought a sandy-whiskered constable was buried, but I afterwards saw him. I remained there working until Andrew Miller was released. I think there are more men buried. There is a young fellow who, I think, works at the Importing Company, whom I did not see after the fall, who might be there. There were three or four behind Esquilant when the final crash came. Esquilant’s boots were burnt off his feet, and I had to saw through a piece of timber to release him. He several times asked me to shoot him, as he was in such agony. There were too many people about. Four good workers could have released the men much sooner.
Other Statements.
An eye-witness of the whole scene says: When the second ceiling came down, men were jumping out of the Bond-street' window like rats from a hole, and I think there more buried under the rubbish.
John Reid, son of the former, stablekeeper, says: — I was round by the building at half-past ten in the morning, and could see nothing wrong. Shortly after one I saw smoke coming from the Bond street door, I gave the alarm, and then, with John McKelvey, got a hose, and played on the door till the Fire Brigade came when I went into the crowd.
Latest Particulars.
The smithy and the drying room had a narrow escape of being burned down last evening. A heavy beam fell through the skylight of the drying-room, and in a short time the roof and some dry hickory was alight. Luckily Mr Bridger observed this and the Fire Brigade managed to prevent the fire obtaining any further hold. A number of narrow escapes are reported, but there is no doubt that numbers of men not only spoilt their clothes but risked their lives to save property belonging to the Company.
From an early hour this morning crowds of people have visited the scene of the fire. Of course, the spot particularly inquired for was the place where the unfortunate victims lost their lives. The Fire Brigade never ceased all night and this morning to play upon the ruins, but, owing to a scarcity of water, they had to discontinue this afternoon. All the machinery is completely wrecked, and the only parts of the factory saved are the drying-room, smithy, the top storey of the furniture department, and the iron yard. The strong room is still almost red-hot, and some time must elapse before it can be opened. On the spot where Esquilant, Wallace, Miller and the other men lost their lives there are several tons of debris and ironwork, and even if there are more bodies underneath it will be some time before they can be got out. Bond street is literally filled with bricks, stone, etc., and, judging from the look of the street, it must be almost a miracle that not more lives were lost. The big chimney is quite secure, but the boiler and engines are completely wrecked. Another of the party walls seems to be falling, but as it can hurt no one it is better that it be let alone rather than any lives should be hazarded. Several of the Fire Brigade are more or less injured, but none of them seriously. A rumor was circulated this morning that another body had been discovered, but it appears to be without foundation.
It was been discovered that the fourth man killed was Richard Pascoe, a sailor who has been recently discharged from the Guinevere. Deceased was almost a stranger in Dunedin, and had lately been living at Musselburgh.
From the evidence given at the inquest, this afternoon, it appears to be almost certain that there is no one else buried in the ruins. One of the witnesses was positive that no one besides Esquilant was in the hardware department, and after the flooring came down everybody else’s movements can be easily traced. -Evening Star, 24/1/1887.
THE RECENT DISASTROUS FIRE (excerpt)
Frederick Esquilant recognised one of the bodies as that of his brother, Henry Edward Esquilant. The deceased went to the fire shortly after it broke out. Witness followed him about ten minutes afterwards. He was standing in Bond street, and someone asked him if he knew if his brother was in the fire. He went into the building subsequently and saw the deceased, who spoke and told witness that he could not live. Witness remained until deceased was extricated, and afterwards saw him at the hospital. -Otago Daily Times, 25/1/1887.
THE RECENT FIRE.
THF FUNERALS.
The remains of Andrew Miller, Richard Pascoe, Robert Willis, and Edward Henry Esquilant were buried this afternoon, the three former in the Southern, and the latter in the Northern Cemetery. The bodies of the two sailors were lying at the Hospital, and at halfpast two o'clock the hearse, followed by a number of members of the various City and suburban Fire Brigades, a number of sailors, and persons interested in the shipping, left the Hospital for the Southern Cemetery. At the corner of Manor place and Princes street south the hearse containing Miller's body, which was headed by the North Dunedin Band and the members of the Foresters' Court to which deceased belonged, joined the other procession. By this time the procession was a very large one, and included the employe's of the Dunedin Iron and Woodware Company. The Rev. Mr Dutton officiated at the grave.
Esquilant having been a sergeant in the B Battery was accorded a military funeral, and thousands of persons assembled at various parts of the route to watch the cortege pass. The following was the order of the procession: Firing party of the B Battery; the Ordnance Band, which played the "Dead March in Saul"; a gun-carriage drawn by two horses bearing the coffin, on which was laid deceased's arms and accoutrements; a mourning coach. On either side of the coach were members of the Richmond Football Club, deceased having been captain of this Club, with a rosette of the colors, and bearing wreaths in their hands; the immediate friends of the deceased; L and B Batteries, N.Z.A.; Engineers; Dunedin and Port Navals; Irish Rifles; Highland Brigade; Wakari, South District, and North Dunedin Rifle Corps; City Guards; members of the various Fire Brigades and Salvage Corps; the Garrison Band (without instruments); Volunteer and Fire Brigade officers, the general mourners, who mustered some two to three hundred, and were mostly young men and lads, and carriages, horsemen, etc. All along the streets the shops were closed, and both traffic and business entirely suspended.
Early this morning a gang of men, mostly composed of employes of the Dunedin Iron and Woodware Company, commenced to clear away the debris on the sppt where the four men were killed. The work is exceedingly difficult and tedious, and when the men knocked off to attend the funerals not much progress had been made.
A meeting will be held this evening to form a committee to collect funds for the widow and orphans of Miller. A subscription list has been started at the Grand Hotel, and two gentlemen visitors, one from Melbourne and the other from Christchurch, have headed the list with a donation of L5 5s each. The objects of the subscription are exceedingly deserving, and when this is coupled with the fact that Miller lost his life in heroically attempting to rescue Esquilant, there is no doubt that our citizens will respond liberally, and a considerable amount will thus be raised. It is also intended to have an entertainment at an early date in aid of the same fund.
A report was current in town this afternoon that a couple of men were missing but we are unable either to trace this rumor to its source or to hear of any foundation for it.
"Honor to whom honor is due" suggests that Mr Donaldson, of the Kaikorai, ought to have been called at the inquest, as he would have been an important witness. He was closest to young Esquilant, risked his own life by playing the hose on him, and to his timely warning many alongside of him at the time owe their lives. His name should certainly have been included in the jury's rider. -Evening Star, 26/1/1887.
Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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