FIRE AT PAPANUI.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 134, 4 November 1874, Page 2

FIRE AT PAPANUI.

That well-known hotel, the Sawyers' Arms, in the occupation of Mr J. Wild, was totally destroyed by fire this morning. Mr Wild informs us that he retired to bed last night at about half-past eleven o'clock, the house having been then shut up, and everything appearing safe. He was awoke at about 12 o'clock, as near as he could judge, by Mrs Wild, who said that she was being suffocated, Mr Wild immediately exclaimed that the house was on fire, and on opening the bedroom door he was met by a large volume of smoke, evidently from the kitchen of the hotel. Mr Wild called out to the other inmates of the house, and received answers from them, which satisfied him of their safety. Mrs Wild and himself were obliged to make their exit from the house by means of the window, as it was impossible to get down the staircase. There was a strong nor-wester blowing at the time, and the flames raged with such fury that in a little over half-an-hour the house was reduced to ashes. It was quite impossible to save anything from the flames and Mr Wild's loss is in consequence very great. The buildings and stock were insured for the sum of £IOOO, the amount being divided between the National and the London and Liverpool offices. This amount however will not nearly recoup Mr AVild for his losses, which include all his books and private effects, a large amount of newlyfurnished building work, and no less than twenty casks of cement which were all lost in the flames. To show how little time the inmates had for escaping, Mr Wild was not able even to save his watch and chain before leaving his bedroom. The fire very nearly caught the large gorse fence in the other side of the Papanui road from the Hotel, but fortunately the efforts of a number of volunteers prevented the disaster.