BIG FIRE AT WANGANUI

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 4

BIG FIRE AT WANGANUI

FOSTER'S HOTEL TOTALLY 'DESTROYED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, February 21. At an early hour tnis evening Foster's Hotel, a largo three-storied wooden building, on Taupo Quay, was totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak evidently started in an upstairs bedroom and spread with great rapidity. When the town brigade arrived the building was a mass of flames. Assistance also came from, the suburban brigades, and for over an hour a combined effort had to bo made to prevent the fire spreading into the- adjoining business area. At one stage a boardinghouse on the opposite side of Taupo Quay caught alight. The lire spread into Ross and Glen'(lining's warehouse adjoining' Foster's Hotel, and was not checked before considerable damage had been done. Foster's Hotel was crowded with visitors to tho races, who lost their effects. Dotails of the insurances are not obtainable, . but it is understood that there is £8000 on the hotel building, and £350 on the furniture, mostly in the London and Lancashire Office. Jewellery belonging to guests, valued at £3000, was in the hotel safe, and its fate.is unknown. Ross and Glendining's premises were mainly damaged by water. The insurance on the building is £2800 in the South British Office. Later. Further • investigation proves that the whole of' Ross and Glendining's second story was completely gutted by to-night's fire. The. whole stock downstairs was soaked with water. Foster's Hotel was one of Wanganui' s landmarks. Known as the York Hotel, it was established in 1857, and the name was later changed to the Steam Packet, and eventually to Foster's, the Foster family having owned it for thirty-six years.