FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 263, 29 March 1913, Page 5

FIRES.

LOSS OF £7OOO. HOTEL, HALL, AND HOUSE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wairoa, Friday. The fire which was reported as starting at 2.15 p.m. to-day developed into a disastrous blaze, resulting in the destruction of two small unoccupied shops, the Jubilee Hall, and the Clyde Hotel, with outbuildings and most of the consents. The fire started in an old' unoccupied shop, next the Jubilee Hall, which soon caught, and burnt fiercely. The hotel a large double-story building, though iron on the side—was doomed from the first, and. when the windows were broken, the flames entered and the premises were soon a roaring furnace. Sheets of iron were lifted up and.thrown high in the air, and in falling ignited the outbuildings. All was soon reduced to ashes. Strenuous exertions were made to save the residence of Mr. J. Taylor, grocer, and so stopped the fire from spreading to another block. As it was, various places in town were set on fire : bv sparks, including a dwelling close by the new Presbyterian Church, but these outbreaks were put out. The origin of the fire is a mystery, aS| the old building was kept securely locked. The total loss is £7OOO. Insurances known so far amount to £7oo. The hotel, however, is insured by the owners, but the amount is not known here. OUTBREAK ON A COAL HULK. Auckland, Friday. A fire was discovered last night on the Northern Coal Company's hulk Ter.ra Nova, which is anchored in Shoal Bay. The fire float was got to work and flooded the hold of the. vessel and towed her to shallow water, with the decks almost awash. A SAWMTLL DESTROYED. Rotorua, Friday. Roe's mill at Mamaku was totally destroyed by fire early this morning. Nothing was saved from the engineroom or mill, but the dry,iiifr sheds escaped. The origin of the fire is unknown. The insurances are not ascertainable.