FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 63, 14 July 1903, Page 2

FIRES.

FEB PRESS ASSOCIATION. Auckland, July 13. A fire occurred in the Waihi mine number six level. It was caused by paraffin boiliog over; the timber sets caught fire and the mine was filled with smoke. All the miners were ordered to the surface. A sensation wascaused by a report that five men were below, but they were got to the surface uninjured. The fire was extinguished. The damage is not serious. There were over 400 men in the mine at the time, but the fire was extinguished in an hour, and the men are now returning to work. Thames, July 13. A serious fire broke out to-night at the Royal Hotel, a building of about 50 rooms. It is supposed to have started in a defective chimney and spread to the lumber room above*. When discovered the fire had got a good hold of tbe wooden building and spread with great rapidity. Although the fire brigade were quickly on the scene and there was a splendid supply of water the ho'el was completely destroyed. The brigade prevented it spreading to the adjoining buildings. Tha hou?e was owned by Owen Humphreys, the lessees were Campbell and Ehrenfreid, and the occupint Samuel Howard. Insurances are not ascertainable here, as the policies were effect'd in Auckland. The hotel also took in the old Theatre Royal and one of the oldest, buildings ia the district,