The shop premises were owned by John George Morris who, as told in the previous series, was a well-respected store-keeper, auctioneer, real estate agent, magistrate, alderman of Bowral, and member of committees including the School of Arts. He was also the Australian Mutual Fire Insurance Society's local agent.

As no fire brigade existed locally, townspeople had to deal with the fire themselves. They fetched buckets of water and created clearings to lessen the fire's spread. As a direct consequence of this severe blaze, Bowral Council began steps to create a brigade. With the financial assistance of insurance companies, the district's first fire station opened on Merrigang Street in 1893 and volunteer firefighters were recruited. They hauled a wheeled hose reel to fires until a horse-drawn fire engine - being a large cart fitted with hand-operated water pump, hoses and equipment - came into service in April 1894.

Following here is the story of that fateful day in 1890 and its immediate consequences, compiled from extensive press reports at the time, and providing a graphic snapshot of early Bowral.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on January 18, 1890, the day after the fire, that at "about four in the morning a fire was discovered on the premises owned by JG Morris, and occupied by Messrs H Pember, fruiterers, S Tonks, tailor, J Alford, furniture warehouse, Chas Prior, saddler, and an office occupied by JG Morris. In less than an hour the whole block was levelled to the ground. The fire spread so rapidly, and the buildings being all wooden, that it was impossible to save them. It was only by the strenuous efforts of townspeople that Murray's butcher shop, and Jones and Wallace's fancy goods shop were saved."

"Pember was uninsured, and the estimated loss of stock is £20. Tonks was insured in the New Zealand office for £300, and J Alford for £500 in the Victoria. Prior was uninsured. It is understood that JG Morris is insured for £1000 on the premises in the Victoria."

"Messrs Jones and Wallace's shop wall was considerably damaged, and in less than half an hour all their goods, and WL Howarth's (late owner) furniture were removed to the street. Had it not been for the chimney of Pember's shop being on the opposite side of the window of Jones and Wallace's shop, the fire must have got in and totally destroyed it, and also Eames' chemist shop, whilst the back premises of the Royal Hotel were also in danger. The back premises of C Water's store were also in danger at one time. An inquiry is to be held. The agents of the insurance societies are watching the premises very closely."

More history: Morris in a humble town

The Bowral Free Press of January 18 provided a detailed report of the fire under the heading 'Lamentable Catastrophe'. It reads like an eye-witness account, which it may well have been, although the reporter is not named. The paper was co-owned by William Beer and his younger brother Daniel. Much of the paper's regular content was written by Daniel who had a stylish turn of phrase. The fire report could well have been by him, even though at the time he was already succumbing, aged just 26 years, to the consumption that would end his life in November 1891.

The Free Press report began by stating that "Bowral was alarmed by the cry of fire between 3 and 4 o'clock on Friday morning, and in less than an hour a couple of hundred persons were assembled at the glaring scene. 'The Mart on fire' was one of the first cries, and to those familiar with the nature of the premises and their contents, together with the character of the premises adjoining, that was sufficient to at once convey the startling intelligence that the main street of Bowral - the very heart of the town - was to be the scene of a fierce conflagration."

The paper's account will continue in the next article.

Do you have memories of the Southern Highlands to share with our readers? If you have stories from the past, or old photos that will give us a window to years gone by, just fill out the form below.