FIRE AT THE ALBION HOTEL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3025, 7 March 1881, Page 3

FIRE AT THE ALBION HOTEL.

Shortly before 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon the fire bell rang out an alarm, and the fire was observed to be in close proximity to the Albion Hotel, which was partly destroyed by fire a short time ago. It was soon discovered that the fire was confined to a stable in the rear of the hotel. The manual engine was quickly in attendanc, and being manned by willing hands, a supply of water was soon obtained. A hose was soon afterwards attached to the high-pressure main, and the fire was quickly reduced, but not before it had reached the store-room of the hotel, which was situated between the stable and the main building. The stable was qu'ckly redu.:d to ashes, but the store-room was burning fiercely, and, as there was a strong wind llowing, there appeared every probability of the fire reaching the hotel itself. The steam fireengine, however, was quickly at work and two powerful streams of water soon did away with all danger of the fire spreading. The stable contained some furniture stored there during repairs being done to a portion of the hotel, and a couple of valuable dogs belonging to a shepherd who was staying at the hotel, and had only arrived from Canterbury on Saturday last. Everything was completely destroyed. In the store-room there wae a considerable Btock of wines, spirits, tea, &?., much of which was destroyed, and all more or less injured. Mr Dennett had taken his horse and trap out early in the afternoon, and gone for a drive with his family, and so far as is known no one appears to have been in the stable afterwards, with the exception of the shepherd, who went to look after his dogs about balf-an-hour before the fire broke out. However the fire occurred, it appears altogether probable that it was purely accidental. We are sorry to hear that the furniture and stores were uninsured, and that Mr Dennett will be a considerable loser by the fire.

There appears to have been some little misunderstanding between the town and B.lit Fire Brigades. The man in charge at the Spit heard the town bell, and at once rang out an alarm! the Brigade mustered, had horses yoked in their engine, and waited for twenty minutes without receiving any communication through the telephone. They then rang the beil communicating with the town station, but received no reply. The .... Spit Brigade have instructions that in case of a fire in town they are not to go to any expense or trouble until they receive a communication through tie telephone to the effect that they are wanted. Yesterday, considering that there was a strong wiDd blowing from the sea, there appeared to be great danger to the hotel from the very commencement of the fire, and it would appear to be somewhat late in the day to send for the Spit Brigade after the hotel had caught. However, the Fire Inspector and Superintendent know their duty better than we do, but it appears very reasonable that some communication should have taken place with the Spit Brigade. Mr Dennet estimates his loss at something over £200, and the damage done to the buildings would be something like £100. -