RAPAHOE FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1929, Page 6

RAPAHOE FIRE

hotel destroyed. GREYMOUTH, Sept. 25. A destructive fire, ■which might easily have been, attended with fatal consequences, broke out this morning at Rapahoe about 12.30 o’clock in the Rapa hoe Hotel. The inmates were all in. bed at the time. The fire, which started in the kitchen, was first noticed from the outside by Mr Robert Spiers, of Kumara, as he was approaching the hotel in a motor car, in company with Mr Oarruthers. They noticed the rear portion burning, and as soon as they reached the hotel, they rushed inside to give the alarm. They found all the inmates were asleep, including the cook, Mrs Judge, who with a girl, was sleeping in a room adjacent to the burning kitchen. There was every indication that, but for the timely arrival of Mr Spiers and his companion, some at least of those within, numbering about twelve, would have lost their lives. The glare of the fine could be seen > from Greymouth over the hill, and also from Dobson. It burned fiercely for an hour, without any attempt to check it being possible in the absence. of water for the purpose. Little or nothing could be got out of the burning building, which was completely demolished, with the stock and furniture. The inmates escaped in some oases without much clothing. By 1.30 a.in. there was little left of the hotel except the chimneys and the ashes. The own'"’ rml licensee of the property is Mr Doyle.