ALTON FIRE.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 1, 24 October 1887, Page 3

ALTON FIRE.

The fire at tho Alton Hotel proved n very narrow escape for Mr Aloss and his family, they being only able to get out of tho building tlirough tho bedroom window. Tho first intimation any of tho family had of tho fire was bearing the bottles in tho bur breaking with tho heat, and Air Moss at once roused everyone, but found it utterly impossible to walk down tho passage, as tho heat and smoko were already stifling, and recourse was, therefore, hud to tbe windows. The children escaped ou’y in their night clothes, and Airs Aloss had only time to quit a dress on over her night clothes, us the danger of remaining in the house was rapidly making itself felt. Air Aloss can only account for tho fire by presuming that the heavy gale on "Wednesday night blew the back door (which directly faced the wind) open, and tho wind then dis2»orsing the embers which wore banked np with ashes in the usual way. He is inclined to this view from the fact that going round from the window ho saw the door wide open. Owing to tho heavy gale the fire was so fierce :md rapid that the occupants were unable to save anything from destruction even the books of both store and hotel being destroyed. In half an hour after the first warning tho whole building was down, and one mass of lire. The insurances were, £2oo on the building, hi favour of the mortgagee (Mr Aloss was only a tenant) in the Now Zealand Insurance Company (not Standard as at first reported): and £3OO on tho stock and furniture iu the Norwich Union. Mr Aloss estimates his loss at £l->0 over tho insurance. It is not considered necessary to hold an inquiry.