11/08/2026
Victoria Mill, locally known as Magarey’s Mill and later sold to Adelaide Milling Company, was located on the corner of George and Ellen Streets, Port Pirie, and was almost totally destroyed by a fire beginning on Christmas Eve 1876.
Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA)
Saturday 30 December 1876
DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF MESSRS. MAGAREY & CO.'S MILL,
AT PORT PIRIE.
Port Pirie, Sunday, Dec. 24, 10.30 p.m. – Christmas Eve
At half-past 9 o'clock this evening a terrific fire broke out in Messrs. Magarey and Co.'s mill. The third story was soon one vast sheet of flame, and the office about ten feet from the mill caught soon afterwards, and at a quarter-past 10 o'clock the mill and office were reduced to ashes. Fortunately, the wind was blowing from the south, and the flames were thus kept from the large iron store on the southern side of the mill.
Hundreds of men were soon on the scene and carried out bags of wheat and flour as fast as possible. The furniture was also removed from the Bank of Adelaide, next to the iron store, as well as from Mr. Wilson's office next to the Bank. A number of men passed buckets of water, while others on ladders inside of the iron store extinguished the flames on the rafters, and ridging which had caught fire. The open ground to the north of the mill prevented the spread of the flames in that direction and the wind being from the south preserved the buildings on that side. Fears were expressed that the boilers would burst, but luckily they did not. Five minutes before the fire broke out persons passing the mill, saw no sign of it, while others, who saw lights in the mill, thought the men were lighting up for the purpose of beginning work at midnight.
When the flames burst through the roof they reached to a great height, and the sight was awful, yet grand. The rumbling noise they caused was heard over 200 yards from the mill.
Universal sympathy is felt and expressed for the owners of the property.
(Later telegram) Port Pirie, December 25, 12.30 a.m.
At 11 o'clock this morning the fallen timber and bags of flour were still burning, and are likely to do so for some hours.
All danger of the loss of other property is at an end, but if the wind had been blowing from the north the whole town probably would have gone.
The miller, who resides about 200 yards from the mill, was first informed of the fire by two boys, who also called the carpenter. The latter rail up the stairs and saw the whole of the silks in a flame and the fire running up and down the shoots like lightning.
No further information has been gained. The public worked very hard and the fire was watched all night to prevent the conflagration spreading in the event of the wind changing. The fire first burst through the front street window at the south-east corner of the mill.
Port Pirie, December 25, 10.45 p.m.
The fire is still burning. It burnt fiercely all night, and at 4 o'clock this morning the engineers of the ‘Euro’, the millsmith, andMessrs. Wilson and Thomas resolved to fix a pump and donkey engine and play on the flames. In two hours they had 140 feet of piping cut and fitted, a stage and crank erected, and water playing on the burning mass. Captain Creer, of the ‘Euro’ lent the hose, there being no other in the port. A good stream of water was kept pouring on the flames all day without cessation. If the water had not been got on, the fire would have spread at midday to the store on the other side of the street. A strong wind rose from the westward, which would have carried the sparks all over the stores and jetties. All danger is now at an end. The wheat is soaked with water and is still smouldering.
Among those who distinguished themselves by hard work to-day were the engineer of the ‘Euro’ (Edwin Smith), the engineer of the mill (John Thomas Bye), Jasper, Ware, Kent, Morrell, Underwood, Mr. Warren, and his four sons, W. Wilson, W. G. Wilson, and others whose names I could not learn.
The safe, which was one of Ram's, was hauled out by 30 men. It had not been long in the flames, but the books were greatly charred.
The mill and stock therein is only insured for £8,500 with the Imperial Insurance Company. Ninety tons of flour have been destroyed, which, with wheat, bran, pollard, and oats, makes the estimated loss £9,000. The store and stock south of the mill, valued at £5,000, was saved. The machinery and engine room were subjected to a great heat, and I cannot say whether it is totally spoiled or not. The 5-inch shaft for carrying the stones is bent and twisted by the heat like a wire.
The prevailing opinion is that the fire was the work of an incendiary. It is asserted that the scoundrel is known. Last Saturday week, at midnight, Fleming's employees discovered the mill wood stack burning, with shavings, old clothes, &c., systematically arranged for setting fire to the wood and premises.
Mr. Harry Warren had his thigh cut; a stranger had his eye cut by a bucket; Mr. W. Wilson strained himself by overlifting; and Mr. Wilson exhausted himself by overwork.
