348 Dryburgh Street

1897. FIRE.-About 1.48 p.m. on Wednesday, a fire broke out in a three-roomed weatherboard cottage in Wood-street, near the Laurel Hotel. The property, which was an old one, burnt quickly, and was soon pretty well gutted. It was rented by a man named Chas. English, who occupied one room, and let the other two. He was absent at the time of the outbreak, which his son says was caused by a kerosene lamp upsetting.
The small quantity of furniture burnt was covered by insurance. it-is not known how the house stands in this respect. The North Melbourne branch of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, under Superintendent Mason, and firemen from other stations were quickly in attendance, and prevented further damage by the fire.

North Melbourne Courier

1881. FIRE AT HOTHAM-HILL,
At half-past 11 o’clock on Saturday morning a fire occurred at the Laurel Hotel, occupied by Mr. George Clayton, at the corner of Dryburgh and Wood streets, Hotham-hill, resulting in tho almost total destruction of the hotel premises and an adjoining three roomed weatherboard cottage, occupied by John Gallagher. The hotel premises were composed of a two story front brick building, with five weatherboard rooms at the back, which were used as a parlour, sleeping apartments, and kitchen. Mrs. Clayton was engaged cooking the dinner in the kitchen, and during her temporary absence the strong wind which was blowing scattered some sparks from the fireplace, and caused the light inflammable structure to ignite. The whole building was quickly in flames, and although the Hotham, Carlton, Albion, and Insurance brigades were promptly in attendance, they were unable to do more than save the brick portion of the place from destruction. A difficulty was experienced in the water supply, the pressure being very light, and the brigades were in consequence prevented from bringing the whole of their available resources into active service. The five weather-board rooms and the adjoining cottage were completely destroyed, and the hotel was damaged to some extent. The hotel, furniture, and effects were covered by insurance in the Australia Felix office, and the cottage was insured m the National office for £150.

The Argus