WANGANUI FIRES.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1918, Page 4

WANGANUI FIRES.

PRINTING WORKS GUTTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Feb. 22 Another fire occurred at 2.>15 this morning in Willis' printing and bookselling establishments, the machine and composing rooms being gutted. Tile building is situated just at the rear of "Foster's Hotel, ami it is -,irmised a spark from the hotel fire caused the outbreak. The insurances,total £3so') in various ollicss. The loss is'estimated at £l.lOO above that amount. THE INSURANCES, Wanganui, fcast Night. Insurances on Foster's building fycre £ JwjO in the London and Lancashire and £1350 in the Liverpool, London and Globe; on the stock and furniture £2200 in the Loudon and Lancashire, £I7OO in the Phoenix, £lr>o in the Liverpool, London and Globe, €IOOO in the Union, making a total of £!)!1j0. Ross and Glemlining's; insurances on stock were .CiiOOO in the State oifice and | £10(10 in the New Zealand office. ! Willis', Limited, stock was insured for .£3500, divided among thirteen offices, j The printing plant was greatly damaged. There were several moments of excitement during the big blaze at Wanganui on Thursday night. When the alarm was given a hotel waiter named Ellery j Scott hastened towards Mrs. Foster's room, having heard that she had not got I out, and on his way was instrumental in saving the life of a lady guest, who had become hysterical. While getting out through a bedroom Scott's coat caught on a bedpost, and the moment of detention saved him from serious injury, as a blazing beam fell a yard ahead of him. There were !>•> guests' at the hotel, who lost their personal effects, t!io loss being particularly severe in the ease of some of the permanent boarders. It is stated that there were valuables and jewellery to the extent of £3OOO in the hotel safes.