Fire Destroys Much Greymouth Property

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 960, 1 May 1930, Page 1

Fire Destroys Much Greymouth Property

TWO HOTELS SUFFER YOUNG WIFE INJURED Press Association GREYMOUTH, Today. About 3.30 this morning one of the worst fires in Greymouth for several years was discovered in the Royal Hotel, Upper Mawhera Quay. It had a strong hold upstairs before it was noticed, and a number of boarders had little time to get out. Several women escaped in their night clothing. A number of men had only time to grasp their trousers. One young woman jumped from an upper window and received injuries. She w-as Mrs. Howat, of Kanieri, wife of Mr. C. Howat, Jun. They were on their honeymoon and arrived yesterday. Mrs. Howat was taken to hospital. The fire spread through the hotel with great rapidity. The building, being fairly old and its timbers very dry, was afire from end to end in a short time. The fire brigade had a difficult task as the place was blazing when they arrived, and the wind was dead against them. All in the Royal Hotel escaped safely. This hotel was to have been taken over today by Mr. Andrew Lees from Mr. -Williams. Nothing -was saved, and the building was completely demolished. More buildings were attacked by the fire as the wind was strong, and water could not be got directly in front of the advancing flames. Brick walls kept the fire to the upper storeys at first, and Mr. G. Webster had time to clear the stock of his umbrella shop. Mr. S. Darrell’s second-hand shop adjoining was not cleared, but the flames leaped across to the roof of the Railway Hotel and that structure was doomed, though some furniture was got out. It was impossible to save the rear part of the Railway Hotel, while cottages at the back were destroyed. The fire threatened to cross over to the shops fronting Mackay Street, including Scott’s, but the brigade checked it. . About 4.40 a.m. the brigade had control. Ail the buildings mentioned as well as Milner’s jewellery shop and F. Dumble’s tobacconist shop weer damaged by dense clou'ds of acrid smoke. The Royal Hotel was owned by Mr. J. A. Lutz, of Wellington, and with Its contents was completely destroyed. The insurances on the building were £1,500 in the Queensland Oflice, £I,OOO in the Phoenix Office, £250 in the National Office and £270 in the Standard Office and the contents were insured, amounts of which are at present unavailable. Darrell’s Building was owned by Mr. W. Mcllroy. His loss is estimated at £BOO. Webster’s Building was covered for £750 in the New Zealand Office. The damage is partial. It is understood that the stock was not insured, but most was saved. The rear of the Railway Hotel was damaged by water. The building was insured for £4OO in the Northern Office. The following persons were admitted to hospital:—Mr. and Mrs. Howat, Mr. A. G. Smith, whose injuries are not serious, and Fireman Blockage, who received cuts on his hand. Fireman Walton had a narrow escape when falling timber dented his helmet. The water supply was reported tb be very good, but a Gorge wind fanned the flames.