DISASTROUS FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1920, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE.

AUCKLAND HOTEL BURNED.. OCCUPANTS' NARROW ESCAPEBy Teleprapli —Press Association. Auckland, April 29. There was a disastrous Are in the city about two o'clock this morning in the Metropolitan Hotel, at the corner of '. Queen Street and Durham Street West. Fortunately there was no loss of life, j out more than one occupant was mote : or less; seriously burned in escaping. '. The hotel was almost completely gutted ' in the upper story and great damage was done below by' fire and water. The fire broke out in the third story and spread with great rapidity. The ' occupants, including twenty boarders, were suddenly aroused from sleep and had no time to dress, but had to make an immediate dash for safety down the fire escapes and stairs. Osbiirn, the third cook, was nrnon)* the last to learn of the fire, and made a t dash for one of the front windows facing ■ Queen Street. The flames were all .' round him and, apparently overcome by heat, and with his clothes burning, Osbiirn collapsed on the fire escape and lay with his feet caught in the irotc work calling for help. His sufferings must have been intense. A sigh of relief went up from the small crowd that had gathered when it was seen that Osburn had been able to catch the framework of the fire escape and pull himself j up and then drop to the verandah h»low, a distance of about ten feet. The '; unfortunate man was immediately as- . ! sisted into the street and taken \ hospital by motor car. He was ' inn from severe burns about theJHgy and arms, but was able to walk infflWPl ward after receiving attention. jOF9sJ''''<j Mrs. Shand, who occupied a room ob the top floor of the hotel, stated that she was aroused by a man, who told her to dress immediately and leave the i building. The flames spread so rapidly that they had barely time to put on . coats and make a dash for the side i entrance downstairs. By this time the' i passage was full of smoke. Mrs. Shand'. stated that they were amongst the latk% i out, -•' -J _ Auckland, Last Night. : " '1 The insurances on tho Metropolitan $ Hotel are £SOOO, including: New Zoa- <j n ,'L om £' , £ , 2000; A » R tralia Alliance, 12000 j Yorkshire, £600; stock, £SOO, Royal Exchange. The liquor stocks , j are not damaged to any extent. ' j Osburn is in a very critical condition. ' 1