DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 141, 16 June 1893, Page 4

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.

QUEEN'S FERRY HOTEL PARTLY

DESTROYED.

SERIOUS DAMAGE,

A destructive lire occurred last night io the premises of the Quean's Ferry Hotel, in Vulcan Lane, the upper portion of the hotel being quite destroyed. Very considerable damage was done to the furniture, fittings, effects, etc. The fire was first discovered afc about half-past nine o'clock lasb night, the city fire-bolls ringing out an alarm very shortly after that time. The fire was soon found to be in Vulcan Lane, which waa quickly tilled with a mass of spectators. The fire brigade, under Superintendent Hughes, were quickly on tho spot and set to work to extinguish the flames. The whole af the upper storey of tho hotel was in a blazo. The origin of tho tire is l mystery. A niece of Mrs Stimpson (wife of the proprietor of tho Queen's Ferry Hotel) went up-stairs for some candles about half-past .nine p.m. and found a smell of burning. She at onca raised tho alarm of fire, and Mrs Stimpson, who was in the bar at the time, rushed upstairs nibh several customers. Tha fire wns found to be raging in the bedroom of ono of tho barmaids. Tho young lady who occupied tho room had pone upstairs to dress about 6.30, and had left her room about a quarterpast seven, locking the door after hor. All was apparently safe tlien, and she brought her candle down with her. Tho door of the room waa burab open, and tho volumes of smoko and iiatne which issued forth showed that the fire had gained a strong hold. Mrs Stimpaon'a two little children, who were in bed, were with difficulty rescued. The fire spread with remarkable rapidity, arsd it was feared that the flames would spread to the premises of Messrs L. L). Nathan aud Co. and other premises in tho block. However, in about balf-an-hour's time the h're was well under control, and shortly aFterwards the volume of water poured ou it extinguished tho flames. The upper stories of tho hotel-were by this timo destroyed, only tho shell rotnaining. Tho chief damage to tho lower tloor was by water, and business in tho bar of the hotel was carried on as usual to-day. The damage to the furniture, etc., of the proprietor is very considerable During tho progress of the fire a sum of money and the valuable contents of a case belonging to Mrs Stimpson woro stolen from her bedroom, it is balioved by two men who apparently busied thomsokos in trying to pub out tho fiio, and who were orderod'away by Serafc. Hughes. The firo destroyed the personal property, clothes, etc., of Mrs Stimpson'a employees, as well us her own. THE INSURANCES. The building and contents aro insured in the Straits Insurance Company for considerable amounts. The hotel is insured in the Strait* for £1,500, £I,OCO of which ia re-insured. The stock ia insured in the same oiiico for £100 and tho furniture and household goods for £300. Tho damairo to bho building will bo about, one-third of the total. The stock is nob damaged, but damago to tho extont of about 50 per cenb. has boon caused so far as tho furniture and household goods are coucerncd.