THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 129, 1 June 1901, Page 5

THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

SEARCH FOR MX AYRE'S BODY

All this morning a search was being made in Die ruins of the (Jraiici Hotel for the body of Mr Fred. Ayres, inspector for the Hank of Australasia, but no remains were discovered, although it is ' considered certain that tho unfortunate gentleman lost his life in the tire early yesterday morning. Constables Finnerty and Rock made a thorough search this forenoon all through the hotel, arid searched as much of the debris as they possibly could, but discovered no human remains. • In the room on the top floor occupied by Mr Ayres they found the remains of his portmanteau, overcoat, and other clothes, and his effects, but there was no sign of the missing man. The fire had not quite destroyed his room, so that if he had been asphyxiated there and had perished in his room his remains would have been found there to-day. His disappearance is all the more remarkable when it is seen that his room opened by a window on to one end of the upper balcony facing the street. It is conjectured that he may have rushed out to the balcony when he heard the cries of "Fire," and finding no wire ladder or other means of escape there rushed back into the burning- building and made for one of the stair cases, where he was overwhelmed by the flames. It is now surmised that his charged .remains may be found away to the rear of the building in the heaps of debris there. However, the body may not be found until the whole of the tons of blackened timber and other debris has been removed. It is considered by Fire Brigade members and others that had there been a wire ladder fire escape a; the upper balcony, Mr Ayres at least might have got safely out of the building. THE INJURED WOMEN. On making inquiry at the Hospital authorities this afternoon we were informed that Misses Meyer, Boyd and Morse, who were seriously injured at the Grand Hotel fire, were getting on well and on. the road to recovery. All three, however, are suffering from a very bad bruising in addition to other hurts. Miss Meyer's injuries are not quite so had as at first feared. It is now stated that no bones are broken, but that she is very severely bruised.