FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1511, 20 July 1905, Page 2

FIRES.

A FATALITY. (Per Press AaaocaadaksK. 1 ) Feiiding, yesterday. Another disastrous fire broke out at 11.30 last night iu Hastie’s Feiiding hotel, one of the oldest buildings in the town, containing some 30 rooms. The inmates were aroused, and fortunately all escaped, but within a few minutes of the alarm the whole of the building was enveloped in flames, which spread to the assembly rooms, all of which were totally destroyed. During the earlier part of the fire a breeze was blowing, and the post-office and business premises on the other eide of Kimbollon road, which is two chains - across, were endangered. Tho post office caught once, also the premises of Amor, painter, but the efforts of a bucket brigade and a, change in the wind prevented furtherdamage in this direction. The attention of the fire brigade, was 'centred on thestables and numerous outbuildings of thn hotel, whioh were eventually aaved. A. brick wall-end sample room prevented the-

fire spreading further down the bloc!:, although for some time it seemed impossible to cheok the fire. Fortunately, the wind subsided, and this assisted the efforts of tho brigade, who stuck manfully to tbeir posts on the roof of an adjoining building. The piano from the assembly rooms was got out, but beyond a fewsmall articles from other buildings the fira ended in the total destruction of thopremises and their stock and fittings, Theongin of tho fire is unknown. Following so closely on the other fire, soma alarm it felt among townspeople as to the safety of their premises. In consequence of a number of wires leading to the post office being damaged, telephonic communication in town is somewhat disorganised. The insurances are : Phoenix, ,21700 on tho buildings, £1530 on thß contents • Aliianoo, £IBSO on the buildings ; ’ South British, £SOO ; Commercial Union, £2OO “‘ hl3 future, £15.0 on the buildings, £IOO on the assembly rooms fittings. The buildings were owned by Mrs Hastie. Tho landlord, Nicholas, had no insurance on his cf>o 3is, .and estimates his leas at, between £2OOO and £3OOO.

The charred remains of Nellis Curtayne housemaid at Hastie’s Hotel, were found after a long search.

c,. „ . , Christchurch, yesterday. Shortly before S o’clock this morning a tiro broko out in the premises known aa the Book Lovers’ Library. Colombo street, Vben discovered the flames had a firm hold, and before the brigades arrived the building, anj old wooden ono, was almost completely destroyed. The fire spread rapidly to f-ho adjoining premises, occupied by G. Andrews, pork butohor and bacon, curer, and S. F. Parker, tailor. The upper story of the former shop suffered considerable damage. Parker’s stock was also damaged by water., The brigade got the fire under in half an hoar. The amount og the insurance is not obtainable.

m ;f L a a !a C '7 Tb - 0 4 n ? u^ Doea in ’ connection! with the fire in Colombo street at an oarlv hour this morning were Andrews" buildings £l5O in the Sun office, contents £IOO m the victoria ; Book-lovers’ Library building £350 in the Royal, contents £BO in the Victoria; Parkor’s and Thomson’s building £2oo in tho Liverpool London and Globe; Parker’s stock £IOO in the Manchester, Thomson’s stock £l5O i Q tt,n Liverpool London and Globe. The pro* f Bl^eß W6fo owned by Nprwaia’B