INVERCARGILL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3532, 2 November 1882, Page 3

INVERCARGILL.

November 2

There was a narrow escape of a serious fire last night. At about 9 o'clock an upstairs bedroom in the Prince of Wales Hotel, a large wooden building in Deestreet, was found to be on fire. The flames broke through the roof, and it was thought impossible to save, not only the hotel, but a long range of wooden building to the north, Fortunately there were force pumps and hose in the house, and the night was very quiet. The fire was therefore kept in check till the brigade got the engines to work. The demage by the fire was confined to the upper part of the hotel. Being close to the theatre, where the Sitnonsen Company were playing " Boccacio " to a crowded house, the fire made a complete spill of the audience. The damage is estimated at about £1000 to house and furniture, and is covered by insurance. The greater part of the hotel is seriously damaged by water. The origin of the fire is mysterious and somewhat suspicious. The bedroom where it started was that of Mr M'Donald, a lime merchant, who had not been in for hours. The fire began at the head of the bed, where the wall was entirely destroyed and the roof lining burnt out. The house is insured for £2000 in the New Zealand, Liverpool, London and Globe, and other offices unknown. The furniture and stock are insured in the Colonial and Victoria offices for over £1500.