TRAGEDY IN WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14970, 18 May 1914, Page 7

TRAGEDY IN WELLINGTON.

TWO LIVES LOST IN A BOARDING HOUSE.

- (rRBSa ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) May 17. A firo tragedy occurred in the city this morning at boardinghouse premises in Courtenay place, known as the Manchester Private Hotel (formerly tjie Eagles), by which two lives were lost.

The building was a three-storied brick structure, containing 22 rooms, and occupied by Harold Pinnock. About 3.30 a.m. Constable Hardy, on duty in Courtenay place, noticed the fire, "and gave the alarm. The flames had a strong hold when tho brigade arrived, as a tierce gale was blowing, and 'the building was long and narrow, with tho front windows open. Tho fire, which apparently started in tho kitchen downstairs, and the back or windward end of the hotel, swept through the interior in an incredibly short space of time. Tho place was full of boarders, who made hurried exits by fire escapes. Not all wero so fortunato as to get out this way, however. Ono man on the second floor mado a rope out of sheets of his bed, and by its aid reached tho ground at the back. Another man climbed down the spouting from the third floor and so gained safety at the rear. Others jumped lroni upstairs windows, and two or three wero sent to the hospital with more or less serious injuries. When the firo had been subdued and a search was made of tho interior, a gruesome sight was met in a small room on the second floor. Tha bodies of a man between 30 and 40 years of ago, and a- woman between 40 and 50, were found. Though still recognisable they were very badly burned, and there was nothing left in the room to Iced to identification. They had booked the room on Saturday night in the name of Wilson, but nothing is known about them. Everything appeared safe when the inmates retired at midnight, and how the fire originated is not known. The furniture and effects were valued at £150, and insured for £350 in the Commercial Union office.' Tho insurances od the building, which is owned by Stains's estate, are not available. Later. . The woman's body has been identified ,as that of Susannah Ackerman. She is said to have come from Bendigo, Victoria.