THE FATAL FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1887, Page 5

THE FATAL FIRE AT ONEHUNGA.

E>e_-_.li of Me IE «.wa_'<S Hill

The lire which occurred oarly yesterday morning at Onehunga, by which the Royal Hotel was totally destroyed and Miss A. Allen's life waa lost, has claimed yet another Auctim. It will be remembered that Mr Edward Hill, the licensee of the hotel, was found lying upon the pavement outside the hotel. He was at once removed to the residence of Mr William Wilson, where every attention was paid to him. About 11 o'clock yesterday morning Mr Hill revived considerably, and at his own request was moved to the residence of Mr Schofield. It would appear that the large doses of ether administered to the sufferer had created a fictitious appearance of strength, for after a while Mr Hill gradually got weaker, until at length death supervened about 11 o'clock last night.

ilrs H. Taylor, who also resided in the hotel, was, by the mere accident of being a minute too late for the last train to Onehunga, saved from being in the building at tho time of the fire. Had sho been there it is just possible that the fire would not have originated, as it was always her custom to go round tho house and see that all was safe before retiring to rest. Mrs Taylor arrived from town yesterday morning, and remained in attendance upon Mr Hill until death released him from his sufferings.

'The origin of the fire still remains a moot point. It is known that both Mr Hill and Miss Allen were in the habit of reading in bed. Mr Hill stated to Mr Wilson yesterday that he could not say for certain whether he had left the candle burning. A .man named Davis, who is engaged to put out gas lights in the street, states that at 20 minutes past 12 o'clock, when he passed, tho,house, he noticed that there was not a light visible in Mr Hill's room. AMr C. Edminston, who passed on his way homo about ten minutes later, states that he saw a light burningin theroom occupied by Miss Allen. It is therefore probable that the unfortunate girl was reading in bed, and the firo orginated in her room. This may perhaps be the reason why she was burned while in her bed. There was also another place from where the firo might have originated. A largo wood fire was burning in the little room near the bar, and was still smouldering when the hotel was closed. Thero is therefore a possibility that the fire may have originated from this direction. During yesterday Mr Hill informed Mr Wilson ° that , when he was awakened by the fire, he attempted to put on his trousqrs, but in the hurry could not do so. He then rushed to the window and looked out. He remembered no more until he was picked up. It would appear from this that directly the window was opened, the draught created caused a volume of smoke to rush to tho means of egress provided. This would overpower Mr Hill, and ho simply rolled out of the window, falling some sixteen feet to the pavement. It is thought that the fall ruptured Mr Hill's stomach, betfause when picked up his stomach fell so that it was impossible to button his clothing around him. Mr Hill suffered from both asthma. Bright's disease, and heart disease, so that in tho past he has been a .considerable sufferer. Many years ago he was an hotclkeeper in the Melbourne side. His only son, Mr Henry Hill, is a saddler at Whan-Tarei. Mr Wilson telegraphed the sad news'to him, so that he maybe down in time to attend his father's funeral. The other victim ot the fire, Miss Allen, was a native of the Thames. She resided for some time with Mrs H. Taylor, in Hob-sen-street. Subsequently the two of them wont to the Royal Hotel—one .as housekeeper and tho other as assistant.