The Oriental Hotel Fire.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 134, 28 November 1901, Page 4

The Oriental Hotel Fire.

-o .WauaiWToK, NovemW/26. Aiflre broke out on Monday morning in the Oriental Hotel, Willis street, and it was entirely destroyed, while the shops of Mr F. Qrady, jeweller, and Mr Christensea, tobacconist, on each Aide, were-also ruined. Theihotel was a three storied building of wood and iron, and so rapid was the spread ol the flames thab many, dodgers had narrow escapes from death. Several had to jump from upper floors, and of these three were >taken to the hospitaHnjared,»viz., Messrs Charlea Bell, ton of Mr James Bell, of the Ada Delroy Company, William Crawford, dealer in *kiM, and Jaok Daroy, labourer, i The hotel was crowded at the time of the'fire with raoing people and members of theatrical companies, and there were many exceedingly narrow escapes. Mr Bell ie still unconscious, and is in a serious condition from internal ihjnriee-. Mr Crawford is badly burned, and is also in a serious state. Mr ©arcy is suffering chiefly from shock. A fourth pernou named Murphy was taken to ihe-hospitaj suflfering from injuries to his arms and knees. November 27. The inquest opened »to-day concerning the death of Mr William Isaae OrawforcV who met his death through injuries received ia the burning of the Oriental Hotel on Monday morning. The medical evidence showed that i-ceased was terribly "burned about the bead, arms, and body, and also on the tongue and throat. Mr Crawford occupied a room >on tha second floor, and was aroused by the night porter, a negro, who appears to have acted with great bravery and presence of mind throughout. How Mr Crawford reached the street is not yet clear,, but foe was found wandering about on the railway station in great agony. He told the Hospital surgeon that he had baen drinking the previous night. Death was 'due ie shock. The taking of evidence was mot concluded, and the enquiry stands adjourned until Monday. Deceased was a married man, and came down from Masterbon on Wednesday. He had been living in the Wellington district for the past two or three years. He was a gradnate of. Trinity College, Dublin, and the only son of the late Mr Robert Crawford, of County Sligo. He was mostly engaged during his ■colonial career in scholastic and literary work. At one time he was master of Newington College, Sydney, Then he went to Queensland, and was engaged in .teaching work at Bundaberg. During the whole of this time Mr Crawlord was a constant contributor 4o many Australian papers. For some time past he has resided in Masterton, where kj was engaged in *' coaching." He leaves a widow, who is a well known miniature painter, and two infant children.