FIRE AT HAVELOCK.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 41, 7 October 1867, Page 245

FIRE AT HAVELOCK.

THE EXCHANGE HOTEL TOTALLY DESTROYED. The building in the above Township known as the Exchange Hotel was totally destroyed by fire early on the morning of Thursday last, happily no lives were lost, although several persons were asleep on the premises at the time of the discovery of the fire. The' following evidence, as to the details was taken at an inquest held before T. Hitchings, Esq., Coroner, on the following day:— Thomas Reynolds, being sworn, deposed : I was the proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, Havelock. On Thursday morning, between 2 and 3 o’clock, I heard men calling oat “Fire ! Reynolds, get up !” T was sleeping on the ground floor, adjoihihgM&kitchen... Oqjjgvgdring, I saw the under part of the third floorblaze. I called the men to cotm down stairs, and went out and called “ Fire.” I gat my wife out, and saved all I could. Titsse persons slept in my house that night. Tffey went to bed about- 12 o’clock. There were two fires burning when I went to bed —one in the tap-room and one in the kitchen, These fires are usual. My lodgers go to bed with candles. There was a kerosine lamp in the parlour, which I put out. The fire began on the second story, where the lodgers slept. I kept no combustible matter in the house; the kerosine was kept in an adjoining outhouse. I went to bed with perfect satisfaction that everything S was safe. I was insured in all—furniture, stock, building and stabling—for £1,475. £295 worth, including stable, forage, saddlery, , carpenters’ tools, &c., were saved. I was insured in the North British Insurance, and I consider myself a loser by the fire.

John Turner, being sworn, deposed: I am a labourer; I was living with Mr Reymolds. I went to bed on the 2nd inst. at about 1 o’clock. I was woke up by a suffocating smoke about 3 a.m. Mr Perret slept in the room with me, and I called him. We slept in an upper story. I saw the fire apparently all round, particularly towards the back. I can offer no opinion as to the origin of the fire. Mr Reynolds kept all dangerously combustible matters in an outbouse 20 yards from the house. I was obliged to make my escape through the window. Mr Hicks slept in an adjoining room, and was awoke by our talking. ... The jury returned as their ' verdict, “ That there was an evidence to prove the origin of the fire” • . - ,