Mudgee Tait and McDairmids

1895

19 April 1895
FIRE AT MUDGEE.
Mudgee, Monday. - Shortly after 7 o'clock on Saturday night one of the most disastrous fires that occurred in a country town broke out in Mudgee, completely destroying Messrs. Tait and McDairmid's large warehouse. The premises formed one of the oldest landmarks in the town. The fire started in the oil store, and with extraordinary rapidity extended to the other departments, and hands had to escape without getting their clothing. A man named Hart, when rushing for water, became enveloped in flame, and his hands and arms were severely burnt. The girls in the showroom had to flee for their lives. Mr. Tait, one of the proprietors, managed to close the safe before beating a retreat. Within 10 minutes the fire was in all the departments, both down and upstairs, and only a few pounds' worth of goods were saved. An immense crowd assembled but could not do anything, as the premises burnt like match-wood. The fire engine manned by volunteers and firemen, prevented the fire reaching the adjoining premises. Within 40 minutes the place was completely gutted, the floors falling through with loud crashes and portions of the walls trembled and fell in, presenting a grand sight. The first stage of the fire was accompanied by sounds like a desultory musketry fire as the flames ignited the cartridges. A couple of loud explosions shook the place and caused a wholesale retreat of the spectators. The adjoining premises were occupied by Mr. Sheppard chemist, and Mr. Bishop, saddler. The crowd dragged out the entire stock, fittings, and furniture from Mr. Sheppard's, and part from Mr. Bishop's, but owing to the endeavours of the bucket-men and to the solidity of the western wall of the warehouse, the flames were prevented from doing much damage, though the loss of stock was considerable. Within two hours nothing remained but a mass of burning debris between bare walls. The area of the premises was nearly half an acre. The buildings were insured, and also the stock, but not to half their value. The total damage is quite £11,0001 .

19 April 1895
Fire at Mudgee.
Sydney, April 15.
A destructive fire broke out on Saturday night amongst the stock on the premises of Tait and McDiarmid (late Dickson and Sons), the oldest house in Mudgee. The buildings and contents were totally destroyed. The buildings were owned by Prince, Ogg, and Co., and the extent of the damage was £11,000. The premises of Mr. Sheppard, druggist, and Mr. Bishop, wholesale saddler, next door, were saved, but their stocks were much injured by removal. The losses were all partially covered by insurance2 .

20 April 1895
Disastrous Fire at Mudgee.
MUDGEE, Sunday.
The largest fire ever seen in Mudgee occurred last night, when Messrs. Tait and McDiarmid's large warehouse was completely destroyed. The premises formed one of the oldest landmarks in the town. The fire started in the oil store, to which place one of the hands went to get some kerosene, and like a flash of lighting it extended to the other departments, and the hands had to escape without getting their clothing. A man named Hart, when rushing for water became enveloped in flame, and his hands and arms were severely burnt. The girls in the showroom had to flee for their lives. Mr. Tate, one of the proprietors, managed to close the safe before beating a retreat. Within 10 minutes the fire was in all the departments, both down and upstairs, and only a few pounds worth of goods were saved. An immense crowd assembled, but could not do anything, as the premises burnt like matchwood. The fire engine, manned by volunteers and firemen, prevented the fire reaching the adjoining premises. Within 40 minutes the place was completely gutted, the floors falling through with loud crashes, and portions of the walls trembled and fell in, presenting a grand sight. The first stage of the fire was accompanied by sounds like a desultory musketry fire as the flames ignited the cartridges. A couple of loud explosions shook the place and caused a wholesale retreat of the spectators. The adjoining premises were occupied by Mr. Sheppard, chemist, and Mr. Bishop, saddler. The crowd dragged out the entire stock, fittings, and furniture from Mr. Sheppard's, and part from Mr. Bishop's, but owing to the endeavours of bucket-men and to the solidity of the western wall of the warehouse the flames were prevented from doing much damage, though the loss of stock was considerable. Within two hours nothing remained but a mass of burning debris between bare walls. The area of the premises was nearly half an acre. The premises were insured, and also the stock, but not to half their value. The total damage is quite £11,000.
The fire is still smouldering beneath the mass of debris. The property saved was not worth £10, and the destruction could not have been more complete. The walls are likely to all come down. The night was calm, otherwise several other buildings must have been burnt. The insurances are said to be distributed among several offices3 .

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