Fire at Foxton.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 3 September 1918, Page 3

Fire at Foxton.

A vivid glare in the northern ety between (5 and 7 o'clock on Saturday evening indicated to Levin residents that a fire on a large scale was in progress in that quaver, and a little later it became known that Foxton liadl been the sc.-eno of a disastrous outbreak. It commenced in Whyte's Hojiel, which was completely destroyed' and 'gutted two adjoining premised. The fire was discovered by the Stationmaster, Mr Shorn, who had been having tea wi|';li the licensee, Mr Lcn. Freeman, and on coming from the dining room noticed a smell of fire. He then discovered that a store room, where liquor and spirits were kept, was burning merrily. Mr Freeman went nps»';airs to remove his two children and on coming down found that the fire had a firm hold of the hotel, and there being no fire brigade or high pressure water at Foxton nothing could be done except save a few easily removable articles. The hotel was 41 years old and built of heart of totara so tlia t it burnt with a fierce hen;'; that seriously dlamaged a thick brick wall between the hotel and adjoining brick and concrete premises occupied bv Mr Bnrr (draper) and Mr Wanlclyn (billiard room keeper). Tlio flames licked round the back of tlier-o premises and gained entrance through tho double doors at /ihe rear, running right through the building audi making them a complete lose. The shops on the other side of the streeft were only saved by protecting them withi wet sacks and blankets. A suite of rooms over tlio draper's shop was occupied for residential purposes by Mrs Teviotdale, and were of course totally destroyed. Tho insurances were: W'hyte's Hotel!, building (owned by Mr F. S. Easton), £1750; furniture, owned by Mr Freeman £700, stock £400. airs Freeman's grandi piano £90. Barr's drapery stodk, £2100; Wanklvn's billiard tables, etc., £350. M it- TeviO'xl ale's furniture, £150. Tho buildings apart from the hotel we're uninsured and also belonged i to Mr East on.