DESTRUCTIVE FIRE ATNGARUA. WAHIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 521, 2 December 1899, Page 2

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE ATNGARUA. WAHIA.

On Wednesday night, shortly after 11 o'clock, the alarm was given that the Delta Hotel was on fire. There was soon a large number of people on the spot willing to do all in their power to save property. The fire was first discovered by Miss Philpott, who called the inmates and sounded the gong as an alarm. The fire apparently originated in the kitchen, aud made such rapid progress that it was with the utmost risk that the piano and some few articles of furniture were removed. Attention was then devoted to saving Messrs Friar, Davies and Co.'s store. The wind was blowing in that direction. Saturated blankets were nailed to the building, and these were kept wet by an energetic bucket brigade. The sample room, situated between the hotel and the store, caught, this brought the fire into very perilous proximity to the store. The exertions of the bucket brigade, however, prevented the fire spreading, notwithstanding that the store was ou fire in several p'aces. The danger was so imminent that it was decided to remove the stock from the premises and place the goods at a safe distance from the fire. ■ The wind changed, with the result that the stables and outbuildings of the hotel shared the fate of the main structure. The furniture was also removed from the premises of Messrs Warren, McKenzie and Guthrie. After all danger was over the stock and furniture were put back into the different premises. The hotel is insured in the New Zealand Office for £1,150 and £3OO on the stock. The Alliance Company had a risk of £75 on the stables.—(Own Correspondent).