BIG FIRE AT KAIKOURA.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16157, 11 March 1918, Page 6

BIG FIRE AT KAIKOURA.

FIVE BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED. ! (SPECIAL TO "THE TRESS.") . 1 KAIKOURA. March 10. j A disastrous fire occurred last night j in the weet end of Kaikoura, result-j ing in the complete destruction of aj block containing the Adclphi Hotel auti, the business premises of • Mr Messent, barber and tobacconist i and billiard saloon-keeper. Mrs Stirling, confectioner and luncheon rooms proprietress. Mr Whitehead, jeweller. "\V. Strange and Co., drapers. I The progress ol the fire in a northerly direction was arrested by a brick wall between Strange's and Flower"store, and in the other direction by a yard separating the hotel from :ho stables and the "Star'' office. liiei fire originated at the back of Mt\ssent's premises, and was first noticed i by Miss Clara Dyer, an employee of j the hotel, who was awakened by the j sounds ol falling glass. Acting with great presence of mind, she awoko iho inmates, who all escaped safely, though very few of their personal belongings were saved. Mr Shields, the proprietor of the hotel, managed to secure tho contents of the safe. The other premises were unoccupied at nig lit, and nothing was saved, Messent, Whitehead, and Mrs Stirling being heavy losers. The two first-named were* uninsured, and Mrs Stirling liml £100 on tlie stock with the North British and Mercantile. Whitehead estimates his loss at £1000. The furniture and personal effects of Shields were insured for £150 with tho Guardian office. The insurances on the hotel have not been ascertained, but Strange's stock was insured for £1000 in the London. Liverpool and Globe office, and £1500 in the Yorkshire office, besides various smaller sums. Tho fronts of the buildingl; across the street were scorched, windows broken, including a plate glass in the Farmers' Co-op. Association's new building. Fortunately it was a still night, or tho fire could .lot. have been checked, there being a 'aek of appliances. Tlie inmates of ;ne hotel, including the boarders, the •irourietor's family, and the staff, numbered fifteen.