Fatal Fire.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7846, 12 June 1905, Page 2

Fatal Fire.

TWO MEN LOSE THEIR LIVES, NARROW ESCAPES. (Per Press Association.) THAMES. Juno 11. At three o'clock this roorningi tha Hrian Uoru Hotel, a two-storeyed building containing over forty rooans, wus digcovored to be on fire. Commencing in the large eastern l wing, the flames spread with lightning-like, rapidity along the passage of the upper storey, rendering the escape of the occupants difficult. The fire had obtained a firm hold, when the brigade appeared, and was only suppressed when the whole upper portion had been destroyed. The lower part was 1 completely gutted. AH the Inmates managed to escape, many clad in night apparel, except two, named John MeNab, jn«mqfcr of the firm of Mason and McNab, monumental .masons, Auckland, and Joseph Sheldon, bushman from the Turua di(trict, near Thames. Th-ir bedrooms; were situated in the portion of the building where the fire ragedi fiercest. When the fire was overcome ' the bodies of the unfortunate men were d scovered in the rooms. Mr McNab was partly dressed and was evidently endeavouring (o reach ' the door when overcome by the suffocating fumes. The body, which was) j found alongside the bed, was partly burnt. ' Sheldon must have been asphvxfaUed with greater suddenness, a» his) body wag found lying across the bed ' only slightly burnt. Mr McNab, who was about fifty years old, leaves a wife and family , in Auckland. ' Sheldon was single, and is believed J to have had no relatives in the cot- i ony. I Many of the inmates had narrow escapes, and air lost everything, in 4 , eluding a goodly quantity of jewellery and valuables. I The hotel was owned and occupied by Kat« Twohill,, an old resident of Jhames, and was rebuilt orily a few months ago. Insurances on the building and furniture are not available toKtay.