FIRE FOLLOWS FIRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1813, 28 July 1913, Page 6

FIRE FOLLOWS FIRE.

HOTEL SAVED & BURNT. By Telegraph—Press Association— Gisborne, July 27, Tho hotel at To Knrata, SO miles from Gisborne, wliicli had a narrow escape from destruction in tho iiro whicli destroyed three adjoining shops in tho townslnpi oil Friday afternoon, was completely demolished by firo at 1 o'olock this morning. The hotel was a large wooden structuro, containing 42 bedrooms and 12 other rooms, all of which wore occupied by guests at the time of tho outbreak.

One of tlio guests hoard a man in an adjoining room get up and go out about 12.30, and, about halt an hour later, ho heard a crackling noise coming from tho room. Ho investigated, and discovered both beds ablaze, and tho flames creeping up the walls. His pttempt to check tho outbreak was unsuccessful, so ho speedily wakened tho household, and all escaped in tho nick of timo, as, before two o'clock tho place was reduced to a pile of glowing ashes. Nothing but tho licensee's safe was saved, and many guests had narrow escapes, all losing their effects, Tho stroet was filled with women, men, and childreu in various statos of dishabilo. All tho shops oil the opposite side of tho road wero badly charred, and wero f ablaze many times, but wero saved by a j bucket brigade. ! Tho liotol was owned by Mr. D. J, : Barry, of Gisborno, who has a policy in' tho ltoyal Exchange offico for .£2OOO. Tho i licenseo is Mr. G. Williams, and his fumi.: turo nnd slock were insured in tho Royal j office for .£llOO. ' Tho only thing saved from tho Bank:! of New Zealand branch in Friday's firo/ was the 6afo, containing books and to,. cords. This was stored in the hotel, and, was completely burned in this morning's fire.