BIG FIRE IN WELLINGTON.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 25 November 1901, Page 3

BIG FIRE IN WELLINGTON.

Oriental Hotel burned—Many

narrow escapes.

(pee press association)

Wellington, This Day,

Just after 2 a.m. a fire broke out in the Oriental Hotel, Willis street, which was entirely desti’oyed, while the shops of F. Grady, jeweller and Christenson, tobacconist, on each side were also ruined. The hotel was a three storey building of wood and iron, and so rapid Was the spread of the ilames that many of the lodgers had narrow escapes from death. Several had to jump from the upper floors, and of these three Were taken to the hospital injured, viz : Chas. Bell, son of James Bell of the Ada Dclroy Co., William Crawford, dealer in skins, and Jack Darcy, laborer. Later.

The Oriental Hotel was crowded at the time of the fire with racing people and members of the theatrical company aiid there were many exceedingly narrow escapes.

Bell is slill unconscious and in a serious condition from internal injuries. Crawford is badly burned, and also in a serious state,

Darcy is suffering chiefly from shock. A fourth person named Murphy was taken to the hospital suffering from injuries to his arms and knees. The insurances on the Oriental Hotel are in the South British, New Zealand and Commercial £833 Gs Sd each. The contents were insured in the South British for £I,OOO. Townsend and Paul’s building (occupied by Christesou and others) was insured in the Royal for £2,000. J. and R. MexTey, Iloyal Exchange for £BOO.

Grady’s building in the New Zealand for £GOO and stock in Phoenix for £3OO, •South Britxslx £3OO, Norwich Union and Victoria £2OO each.

llobinson, jeweller (damaged) iix the Standard for £4OO.

The Wellington Cycling Club contents in the Phcenix £350.

Miss Murray, florist, who was on the ground floor of the hotel had her contents insured in the South British for £3OO

Davis and Harris, music sellers, stock in the Northern for £1,500 and fittings £IOO in Northern.

Christcson, furniture and stock in the Iloyal Exchange for £IOOO. Canada Cycle Coy in Royal for £4OO on stock and furniture.