HOTEL DESTROYED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 661, 13 May 1929, Page 1

HOTEL DESTROYED

THREE WOMEN RESCUED FROM FLAMES FIRE SPREADS QUICKLY .Press Association WELLINGTON, Saturday. One of Wellington’s oldest landmarks, the Railway Hotel, on Thorndon Quay, owned by Mr. James Dealy, was destroyed by a fire which broke out soon after half-past one this afternoon. building was an old wooden one, and the flames spread with great rapidity. In spite of the efforts of the fire brigade, which was on the scene a few minutes after the oubreak commenced, it was impossible to save the building. The fire is thought to have originated in the wash-house. In a flash the flames had penetrated to the front of the building, giving those in the hotel no time to escape with any more than the clothes they were wearing. The cook, Miss Campbell, had to be rescued from her bed, to which she was confined on account of a recent severe illness. One of Mr. Dealy’s sons made his way to her room as soon as the fire was discovered, but by the time he reached her his means of exit had been cut off, and it was necessary for him to carry Miss Campbell down the fire escape in the front of the building. Two girls employed in the hotel had to be assisted from the back of the building, where they were engaged in their duties. Tirere was no time to remove any valuables from the building. It is understood there was a considerable amount of money in the safe, and it is known that there were many valuable papers. There were fairly large stocks of beer and spirituous liquors in the hotel building and in the vault below. The Railway Hotel was one of the oldest licensed houses in Wellington, and was a well-known landmark. Mr. James Dealy has held the licence ever since the building was erected, and he held the freehold of the land and building. Only a few weeks ago the hotel was painted and renovated generally. Insurances on the building and stock are not yet available.