FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1901, Page 2

FIRES.

HOTEL BURNED IN WELLINGTON. PBB, PBBBB ASSOCIATION. Wkllikgtom, November 25. Just after 2 a.m, a fire broke out in the Orientd Hotel, Willis-street 1 , which was entirely destroyed, while the shops of F. Grady, jeweller, and Ohristcnesn, tobacconist, on either side wetvato burned. The hotel wis a throe storey building of wood, and iron, and a» rapid was the spread of the fluaee that many of the lodgers had nanow escapes from death. Sevnral bad to jump from the upper floors, and of then three were taken to the hospi'al injured, viz: -Charles Brll, son of Mr James Bell, of the Ada Delroy Company, William Crawford, dealer ia skins, and Jack Dircy, labourer. Latkk. The 0.-ienfal Hotel was crowded at the time of ihe fire with rtcing people, and members of theatrical oompaniee, and there were many exceedingly narrow escapes. Ball is still nnooascious, and in a serious condition from internal injuries. Crawford was badly burned, and is also in a serious state. A fourth person named Murphy mi taken to the hospital suffering from injuries to the arms and knees. Insurances: Oriental Hotel buildings, South British, New Zealand, and Ooomestial 4833 each; contents, Sontii British £1000; boUding occupied by Ohristensen and other*. Royal £2000; J. and R. Mortey, Royal Exohsr** £800; Grady's buildings, Mew Zealand, £600; stock, Phoenix £3oo,Boutii British, £3OO, Norwich Union and Victoria, £2OO each; Robinson, jeweller (damaged), Standard £400; Wellington Cycling Olub, oonteota, Phoßdx £250; Mies Hurray, florist* who was on the ground floor of the hotel, contents, South British, £300; Davis and Harris, music se'lers, stock, Northern, £ISOO, fittings £IOO Northern; Ohristensen, furniture and stock, Royal Exchange £1000; Canada Cycle Company, Royal, £4OO on stock and fixtures.

[ Latest. Willi <m Crawford, one of those who fWHped from the Oriental Hotel this morning, di>d in the hospital ro-oigbt from shock. The unfortunate man was) (discovered wandering abou' the streets | half a mile away from the fire aboat an I hour after it broke out, apparently ; bereft. He was conducted to tow < central polio* station, and after Us burns had been dressed by a surgeon ' was conveyed to the hospital. The following offices hold risks on building* affected by fire, as reinsurances:—lmperial, Victoria, Australian Alliance, Liverpool and London and Globe, Phmniz, Norwioh Union, Boyal Exchange, Manchester, and Northern. The known insurances are £12,600. All members of theatrical companies l who were staying at the place lost tfcefcr entire wardrobes, and there arev uy pitiable cases of distress amongst tiieo. A benefit performance on their b»1 Jf will be. given in the Opera Honsu on Saturday afternoon.

SERIOUS OUTBREAK AT KELSON.

Nemos, November SB. Robertson Brothers' timber faelaty was destroyed by fire (hit mornfof, The fire is supposed to hart Vwn caused by a spark from th» engidv whilst the fireman wag at breekfaet. Tbe damage is estimated atbstweea £2OOO and £3OOO. IcsuraooM ; Royal £SOO, Norwich £350, Imperial £350. "