GREAT FIRE IN ABEL SMITH STREET. THE VICTORIAN HOTEL BURNT TO THE GROUND. TWO HORSES ROASTED ALIVE.

Evening Post, Issue 160, 12 August 1865, Page 2

GREAT FIRE IN ABEL SMITH STREET. THE VICTORIAN HOTEL BURNT TO THE GROUND. TWO HORSES ROASTED ALIVE.

4" — About four o'clock this morning, the Te Aro end of the city was startled by the tocsin of alarm bells, which called out the inhabitants from almost every house. , A lurid glare in the direction of the Lower , Mount Cook Barracks pointed out the locus of the conflagration, and sent crowds upon orowds of men, women, and children, hurrying to the spot. It was then discovered that Mr. Somerville's Victorian Hotel, in Abel Smith street, was in flames and that all attempts to save any portion of the building would be futile. The scene was indeed a terrific one. There was the long range of rooms and the stables, one confused mass of burning timber, the forked flames writhing round and round the pillars of the verandah, and bursting out of every whjdow above and below. Every now and then a more than usually vivid flame, accompanied by a startling detonation, pointed out that the fire had worked its way into the bar, and was committing havoc upon every cask of spirits that came in its wa^T In the foreground were some three Hundred persons eagerly peering* into the seething mass before them, or with up-turned faces, livid from the lurid glare, watching each tottering timber as it fell crashing to the ground, sending up countless myriads of sparks, which were wafted high in air by the steadily increasing north-westerly wind. There was no need to call for volunteers ; all lent what aid they could, and, after many hazardous attempts, a great portion of the furniture and the luggage of the lodgers were saved. The only house immediately adjoining the burning premises was that of Mr. Lambert, and every effort was made, fortunately effectually, to save it from the burning element. About half-past five the fire was at its height, and the bright flames towered over the surrounding trees and lighted up the streets in every direction. Above the roaring of the fire could be heard the shrill screama of two horses in the stables of the hotel. The poor animals had been too well secured, and not being able to get adrift were literally roasted alive. By this time the Volunteer Fire Brigade, with two engines, had reached the spot, but too late than to do more than quench the smoking mass of ruins. As daylight broke the crowd dispersed,and the dawn disclosed the extent of the mischief. The hotel was level with the ground, from which arose dense clouds of smoke and dust, accompanied by occasional little jets of flame and a few dancing sparks. The opposite side of the street was choked up with the fire, and an incongruous mass of furniture, trays, glasses, empty bottles, spittoon?, and cigar boxes. How the fire originated is as yet unknown. A man of the name of Rae, who had been getting the horses for Wairarapa mail ready for the upward journey, was the first to give the alarm to Mr. Somerville and his lodgers. From him we learn that at 12 o'clock, when he retired, there was no sign of fire, and that as he was lying awake, about four o'clock, he heard the crackling of timber. He then opened his bedroom door and went into the stables which he found in flames. His

first efforts were directed to saying four horses which were madly plunging in their wild efforts to extricate themselves from the danget. He succeeded in loosing two, but the renviining couple— one the property of Mr. Robertson the auctioneer, the other belonging to Mr. Stuart — were too securely fastened, and had to be left to their fate. Rae then roused the people in the hotel, who lost no tine in hurrying from the spot. The houses of hospitable neighbors were opened, and the women and children removed from the scene. tenie ansiety was expressed relative to the safety of Mr. Lambert's house and the one adjoining, in the occupation of Mrs. Glanery, but, fortunately, owing to the fact that they were covered with galvanised iron, upon which a strong stream of water was kept playing, they were saved from the general destruction. We understand that Mr. Somerville had leased the premises for a term of five years, one of which had only expired, and that his furniture and Stock in trade were insured for about a tenth of their value. The Victoria, more generally known as Rottermann's Hotel, was a favourite house of accommodation, doing a large and respectable business, and it is greatly to be deplored that its amenities and comforts can only now be spoken of as a thing of the past. We cannot but express our sorrow at the sad catastrophe which has occurred, but at the same time must testify to the kindness of the neighbours, among whom Mr. Holmes, Mr. Trueman, and Mr. Archer, stood conspicuous for their readiness in assisting and housing the terrified women and children who were driven from their beds by the conflagration. _^_ -- _ - __