The alarm was given from near the Kensington overbridge, and the fire proved to be in a two-storeyed wooden building in King Edward Street.
The lower part of this formed two shops, occupied respectively by Mr H.C. Gore as a photographic studio, and Mr James Young as a fruiterer, while the upper portion of the building formed the residence of Mr Young and family.
On being awakened by the blaze the latter were in somewhat parlous plight.
The staircase was on fire, and Mr and Mrs Young with their three children were obliged to crawl through the window on to the veranda of the shops.
Here they were found by Constable Macartney, who at once climbed the post, and, with the assistance of Mr Young and a civilian, effected the rescue of Mrs Young and the children.
The brigades which hurried to the spot were the City, South Dunedin, and St Kilda outfits, but despite the combined efforts of these three, the flames had such a hold that by the time they were subdued only the walls of the buildings remained.
A crowd of some 400 people watched the efforts of the men.
The cause of the fire would appear to be connected with the leaving of a lamp in a small room at the back of the building in order to ripen bananas.
Once the fire was started, it spread with great rapidity owing to the dry nature of the building.
• A series of burglaries took place in Mosgiel some time between Saturday night and Monday morning.
Mr Craik (tobacconist) had his premises entered, and 3 5s was taken from the till, and tobacco and matches to the value of 10s from the shelves.
Mr Craik found his doors and windows intact on Monday morning, and is at a loss to know how his shop was entered.
About the same time the shop of Mr Gibson (pork butcher) was also burglariously entered, and some copper from the till and a quantity of tongues and other preserved goods removed.
The premises of Mr Fleming (tailor) were broken into by way of a small side window.
From this shop the thieves took a little small change from the till and singlets, socks, and underpants to the value of 2 15s.
Rooms in the same building occupied by Mr George Smith (bootmaker) were also entered, and a couple of pairs of boots were stolen.
The police have been making inquiries.
- ODT, 4.5.1910.
