["Fire at Port Hedland", The Western Mail (Perth, WA), Friday 19 June 1914, page 22]
FIRE AT PORT HEDLAND.
DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £3,500
Port Hedland, June 15.
In the early hours of this morning Dalgety's Building, occupied by Messrs. Miles and Co., was completely destroyed by fire with the whole of the contents. The alarm was given by Mr. George Knight, Dalgety's agent, who was awakened by bis wife at 12.30 a.m., but as there was no water supply, everyone was helpless and they simply had to watch the building and contents being destroyed. The premises were valued at about £1,000, and the contents at £2,500. At present nothing is known as to how the fire originated. The only theory is that the rats got into the matches. All the books in Messrs. Miles and Co's safe were reduced to ashes, but Dalgety's books, although badly burnt, are intact and decipherable. Messrs. Miles and Co. will recommence business as soon as fresh stock arrive. This was the first fire at Port Hedland.
