OUTBREAK IN THE CITY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 21 May 1914, Page 8

OUTBREAK IN THE CITY.

GLASGOW COFFEE PALACE

GUTTED

„. Flames Knping through the two large pkylights of the Glasgow Coffee Pnlivco brought hundreds of people flocking to Manchester street south shortly after o o'clock last night, tho report being circulated that Cokere Hotel wae on fire.

The Fire Brigade was given the alarm ~hv telephone from Coker'e Hotel, and. in a few minutes two leads were got on to the building. The Glasgow Coffee ■ Palace is a -two-ttoried building, and there aro fourteen rooms on the first floor, the ground-floor being utilised as a restaurant. Tho fire, had originated 'near tho bathroom, and when the Brigade got to work the flames had gained a. solid hold on the wooden frame-work. Within five minutes, the blaze was extinguished, but not before the building was practically gutted. There was a brick wall separating the building from Coker's Hotel, and another wall on the other side, and thanks to this fact, and to tho energetic work of tho Fire Brigade, the position never became really very dangerous ;>s far as other property was. concerned. '

The origin of the fire is a complete mystery; it was not even known last night who gave tho alarm. Mr H. J. -3loon, of Cokcr's Hotel, stated to n reporter that he heard someone communicating with the Fire Brigade, but .did not seo.who it wa.» using the telephone. ;'•■'■. Tho proprietor, a sutt-tenant, JYank Percival Smith, was absent from the building at the time. He stated that the furniture and fittings wero covered for £270, in tho Norwich Union oflice, and estimated his loss at £100.

The cook also knew nothing of , how the firo started. The first ho knew of a blaze was when .the smoke and noise distracted his attention from his grilled ' chops. The building was owned by Mr. A. (Stewart, and. was insured, but the amount was hot ascertainable last night.