EXTENSIVE FIRE AT INVERCARGILL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1915, 11 August 1888, Page 3

EXTENSIVE FIRE AT INVERCARGILL.

ALBION MOTEL DESTROYED.

[PER PRE6S ASSOCIATION, J

Ihvbroakgill, August 11. A fire broke oat m Hey wood's Albion Hotel at two this morning, aqd the bnlldlng, which w»a of brick, was speedily In flames, Tte Brigade w- re on the scone early, and had a plentiful supply of water 'from the Puni Greek, bat were unable to prevent the deatructlon of the hotel, which occupied the site of a block burnt down 13 years ago. Lewis and Co. 'a extensive drapSry establishment on the north side caught through a skylight, and for a time It teemed »s if it would succumb, but the efforts to save it proved effectual, although » good deal of damage was done to the stock and one department of the building. McF&rlane's confectionery chop, on the sooth side, also Ignited more than once, bat the strenuous exertloos made to save it proved successful, although at the expense of-eome of the stook. Moat of the stock In Sutherland's tobacconist's shop, nuder the hotel, was removed. Had the fitmesnot been subdued, the entire blook, In which are the N.Z. laauranoe Oomptny's offices, Government Insurance Department, and a cumber of other placea of business, would have been swept away. It is supposed the fire started m the bar of the hotel. One of the boarders who was working late went to bed about 1.30 am. and then went down to the seoond floor to put his name on the slate to be called early. While there he detected the smell of fire, and on going to the ground floor saw smoke Issuing out of the bar. He rushed up stairß again and cried fire, but this f ailing to arouse anyone he Beizad the dinner bell and nbver ceased ringing it till everyone was awakened. A good number of people were m the hotel and they just had time to escape, Some being unable to fully dress. All lost their personal eftects and several commercial travellers are reported to be serious sufferers m this way. A repoit went round that one man bad been loot but all doubt was set at rest by bis subsequent appearance. The Hotel was a favorite resort with travellers from all parts and was one of the fiaest m. the town, Later; Tht insurances are as follows :— Albion Hotel building m New Zealand, £3COO, reinsured, and Norwich Union £100. The furniture sod stook were insured for £2000 < as follows :— New Zealand £500 (£250 reinsured) ; Colonial, £1000 : North German, £250; and Phoetrix, £250. Lewis and Co.'s building, New Zsaland £1000, North German £450, North British £500. Stock, seriously damaged, Smith British, £1000 ; Colonial, £1000 ; Phcenlx, £1000. Total insurances, £11,950. W. 8, Cook, of the Colonial Bank, was the first to give the alarm and aroused the boarders by ringing the dinner ball. Latest. The Proenlz had no risk on the Albion. The following are the correct insurances on Lewis and Go's stock, which is valued at about £14000, and is about half destroyed :— South British, £1000 ; Colonial, £1000 ; Boyal, £1000 ; Northern £1000 ; Equitable, £500; Standard, £600. Suther land was not insured. MoFarlane's buildIng (damaged) was insured for £1500 In the Liverpool, London and Globe, and £400 In the North British.