ONE DEAD, THREE INJURED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 1

ONE DEAD, THREE INJURED

A TWENTY-MINUTE INFERNO TRAGIC BLAZE AT MURCHISON Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-day. THE Commercial Hotel at Murchison was totally destroyed by fire at four a.m. this morning, with the loss of one life, and several injured. Many other boarders had no warning and only managed to escape in their night attire, losing all their personal effects. The remains of the deceased were located at 10 a.m.

'J'HE casualties are: DEAD BERT ROULSTON, boot repairer. INJURED TOM BARCLAY, farmer, badly burned about the head, back and arms. MISS SHEA, sister of the proprietor, slight abrasions and shock. MISS FLO FINNERTY, maid, injury to leg, and shock. The injured are in hospital and are progressing favourably. It is understood that the fire originated in one of the back bedrooms, in the oldest portion of the hotel, but the cause of the outbreak is unknown. The building was a substantial

wooden structure, containing 36 rooms. The flames took speedy hold, and within 20 minutes the whole building was demolished.

The building was owned by Mr. J Duncan, of Nelson, and leased by Mr. J. A. Shea, formerly of Fairlie.

Practically everything was destroyed, and both the owner and the lessee are heavy losers. The insurances are not at present available. Had a strong wind sprung up, the whole township would have been endangered. As it was the Ross Hotel, McNee’s store, and the school-house were fortunate in escaping. Volunteer workers were instrumental in effecting saves in this direction.

The proprietors of the Ross Hotel extended hospitality to the sufferers of the outbreak, and many residents willingly provided wearing apparel.