BIG FIRE AT WANGANUI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1793, 23 February 1918, Page 3

BIG FIRE AT WANGANUI.

FOSTER’S HOTEL DESTROYED. HEAVY DAMAGE. Wanganui, Feb. 21. At an early hour this evening Foster’s Hotel, a large three-storied building on Taupo Quay, was totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak evidently started in an upstairs bedroom, and spread with great rapidity. When the town brigade arrived the buildings were a mass of flame. Assistance also came from suburban brigades, and for over an hour a combined effort had been made to prevent the fire spreading into the adjoining business area. At one stage a boardinghouse on the opposite side of Taupo Quay caught alight. The fire spread into Ross and Giendinning's warehouse, adjoining Foster’s Hotel, and was not checked 'before considerable damage was done. Foster’s. Hotel was crowded with visitors to the races, who lost their effects. Details of insurance are not obtainable, but it is understood there is £B,OOO on the hotel building and £350 on the furniture, mostly in the London and Lancashire Office. Jewellery belonging to the guests valued- at £3,000 was in the hotel safe. Its fate is unknown, Ross and’Giendinning’s premises were mainly damaged by water. The insurance on the building is £2,800 in the South British Office. Further investigation proves that the whole of Ross and Giendinning's second storey 'was completely gutted by to-night’s fire, while the stock downstairs was soaked by water. Foster’s Hotel Avas one of Wanganui’s landmai’ks. It Avas once known as the Yoi’k Hotel. It Avas established in 1857. The name Avas later changed to Steam Packet, and eventually to Foster’s, the Foster family having OAvned it for 36 years, ANOTHER FIRE. WILLIS’ PRINTING WORKS. Wanganui, Yeslerday. Another fire occurred at 2.45 this morning, in Willis’ printing and bookselling establishment, the machine and composing rooms being gutted. The building is situated just at the rear of Foster s Hotel. It is surmised that a spark from the hotel fire caused the outbreak. THE INSURANCES. AVengamii, Yesterday. The insurances on Foster’s Hotel are: Building, £5,900; furniture, £4,000. On Ross and Giendinning’s, £0,000; Willis’, stock £3,500 (the printing plant was greatly damaged).