GREYMOUTH FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1930, Page 5

GREYMOUTH FIRE

Further particulars of the fire at the Royal Hotel, Greymouth, yesterday show Mr and Mrs Colin Howat, the newly-wedded couple, from Hokiika, who had to make their exit through one of tlie upper storey windows, were substantial losers by the fire; Air Howat first jumped from the window, telling his. wife to wait until he had secured help to effect a rescue, but.she lost no time in jumping hei'self for safety, as also did Mr A. G. Smith,'who jumped "from another window. Mrs. Howat, who is a daughter of Mr and Mrs James Roxhbrough, of Hokitika, was severely shaken, hy her experience, but her pluck proved its wisdom when it was found on her entry later to the Hospital that her injuries were less than had at first been, apprehended. Mr Howat and Mr Smith also entered thb Hospital for attention, but the condition of all three was last evening reported to be comfortable. Air Durry, a railway employee, boarding in the Royal, had his hands burned; but no - oilier inmate sustained any injury. Air and Airs Howat lost all their personal belongings, including a wallet containing a very substantial amount, which was to be utilised for their honeymoon. trip to. Canterbury.. The “Argus” says it was a strange oversight on the part of those who got through the windows to have neglected the aid of-the fire escape ropes that were provided in each room alongside the windows. Tlnv ; , Royal Hotel was, it. fact, one of the best equipped hotels in the town, in "respect of its fire escape ; apparatus. There was a ladder to the ' ground from the balcony in front, and also two fire escapes, one at either end of the building, while in each bedroom a rope, was provided to enable the inmates to reach the ground in case of emergency.

How, and exactly 1 where, the fire started ,in the. Royal Hotel ''remains uncertain, but it was probably on the upper floor. A word of praise is due to Alias Dolly Dewar, a member of the hotel staff, ' for giving the. alarqi at personal risk. She and a* boarder appeared to have discovered the fire at the same time. The boarder, a man, first tried to reach the hotel "telephone by way of the stairs, but, finding the way; barred by dense smoke, he went to the balcony and .descended by means of the fire escape ladder to the street, with the idea'of reaching the phone from below, only to find that smoke was again in the way. Miss. Dewar’s warning to the inmates resulted in a call being sent for, the Fire Brigade, although in her efforts to ensure tho alarm being given, she had to pass through choking fumes. Some few articles were saved by the girls of. .the, hotel. staff,,, font .the boarders lost almost everything except what they wore when they got clear. The boarders in the cottages of the Railway, Hotel also lost most of their belongings,