THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 151, 27 June 1901, Page 8

THE GRAND HOTEL FIRE.

I INQUEST COBTINUED

f EVIDENCE OP EYE-WITNESSES.

The inquiry in connection with the iatal fire at the Grand Hotel on May 31st, whereby five lives were lost, was i^stjmed tfeis-morning at the Central Hotel, before Mr Gresham, Coroner. Sub-Inspector Mitchell represented the police and Mr N. A. McLeod appeared on ( behalf of the owners of the hotel, Messrs Hancock and Co. Robert Wm. Thomas, day porter at the Grand Hotel, stated that he slept in the basement, next to the cook's bedroom. On the night before the flre he went to lied between 9.30 and 9.45 p.m. About one o'clock in the morning he wa3 awakened by the sound of falling glass, and on going to the door of the next room the cook told him the place) was on fire. He helped the cook out into the yard at the rear. She brought nothing with her but a cookery book. (Laughter.) He saw flames coming from the pantry windows, and the dining-room was also oi. fire, but the flames did not seem so fierce there as in the pantry. There were three men in the yard, but he did not notice who they were.

In reply to further questions, witmess said that after getting the cook over the fence he re-entered the building. The pantry stairs were then on fire,' arid the well of the building was a mass of flames from the first floor •upwards. He went back to his room for some clothes, and while there noticed Grover, the head waiter, helping Jessie out. • ,

John A. Craven deposed that he was la boarder at the Grand Hotel at the time of the fire, occupying No. 34 bedroom, on the first floor, facing the Northern Club. Ho went to bed between 8 arid 9 on the night of the fire. He, believed he was awakened by a cry of "Fire." On opening his door he i oaind that the whole passage on the left was ablaze, and on his right the ceiling was in flames. He ran to the main staircase and got down and out on to the street. He saw no one on the first floor or on the stairs. When ihe got into the street the fire had not reached, .the . front portion of ,the Ihouse.

Thomas also stated that after the fire he searched carefully for the din-ning-room silver. and found 94 pieces, but none of the larger, articles.

Kalph Keesing, residing, at Grand "Vue, ■ next door but one. to the Grand Hotel said he was having supper about twenty minutes to one on the night of the fire when he heard screams. He and others ran put to the street arid saw that the hotel was on fire. From ground floor to vroof it was one great blaze. (Proceeding.)