FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 205, 6 February 1915, Page 4

FIRE AT OPUNAKE.

.—«» :___ . ; A HOTEL DESTROYED, SEVERAL BUSINESS PLACES IN DANGER. At about 10 o'clock last night a fire broke out at the Opunake Hotel, geni crally known as Knowles' Hotel, Mr. E. B. Stolir being licensee. In a few minutes, the buildiug, a wooden one of two- * storeys, was burned to the ground. The Arc spread to Judsou's and - Aiken's adjoining premises, and it wasfeared that these, too, must go. "LiATEII DETAILS. SEVERAL BUILDLNGS REDUCED "TO RUINS. NO WATER-SUPPLY AVAILABLE. - Opunake, 1 a.mv •Stohr's hotel was totally destroyed,. wfth the stables and cottage adjoining, and belonging to the hotel. Very little was saved. The fire started in the regiotf of the kitchen,' and rapidly spreads There is no fire brigade in Opunake, and no water supply, so there was no hopa 'of checking the flames. It. is reported! that the Guardian Office had a policy of £IBOO on the hotel building. , '' ' - The fire quickly spread to Judson'% coachbuilding factory, closely adjoining,. and to Aiken's blacksmithing premises, and these were speedily reduced tat ashes, very little o/f the contents beingremoved.. Burton's garage caught fire several times, but, owing to the direction of th* wind —which, fortunately, was not to* strong—the army of workers, manage*} to save this building. . ~ ' —•' • f'• ■<