THE INVERCARGILL FIRE.

Evening Star, Issue 3771, 25 March 1875, Page 2

THE INVERCARGILL FIRE.

At a quarter to four on the morning of Tuesl day, Constable May, while on duty in Esk street, had his attention excited by a strong smell of burning, coming from the direction of Dee street- On proceeding to that quarter he saw the reflection of fire on the Government buildings, and instantly conjectured that the source of the flames lay in Mr Mayo’s, Albion Hotel. A glance at the building confirmed this view, and hurrying forward he observed through the window of the private parlor next the National Bank, that flames were raging within. The morning was cold and tempestuous, the wind blowing from the direction of south-west. Scarcely fifteen minute elapsed before the fire brigade were ready for work. But by this time, although the occupants of the hotel had not effected their escape, the flames were seen springing from the roof of the building, and many, both male and female, had buttime to escape in sleeping attire. One man was forced to jump out of a back window a distance of 15ft or 18ft, Another, into whose sleepmg apartment the flames had actually penetrated, was rescued, almost against his will, by the exertions of Inspector Fox. The following is a complete list of the losses of the different insurance offices .-—Albion Hotel —Victoria, LI,OOO ; National, 1.750; Norwich Union, L 60 0; New Zealand, L 600; South British, LSOO ; Scottish Commercial, LSOO ; Liverpool and London, L 500: Australian Alliance, L 45 0; Standard, L2so—total, L 5,150. Smith’s buildings—Royal, LI,000; Liverpool and Loudon, LI,OOO. Messrs Lewis and Rood’s stock, Transatlantic, L 2.000; furniture of the National Bank, Liverpool and London, L 300: Mr Hatch’s store, New Zealand, L 10 0; Mr De m s shop New Zealand, LIOO. Mr Rose’s prem ia, which were slightly scorched, are insured i-i the Norwich Union for L6OO, and in the South British for L2OO. Messrs Lewis. ■Keed, and Gu. s premises contained goods valued L 15,000, «nd articles equal perhaps to a fifth of that value have been saved. Nearly everything within the walls of the hotel has been destroyed, and Mr Mayo’s family, his servants, and the boarders b°.ve lost nearly everything in the shape of clothing and other personal property. All who were in the hotel have been heavy losers, and one boarder has, we beUeve, suffered to the extent of about Li7o.