LARGE HOTEL BURNED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 4

LARGE HOTEL BURNED.

OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGED. SOME PERILOUS EXPERIENCES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WANGAMJI, Thursday. At an early hour this evening- Foster's Hotel, a large three-storeyed wooden building on Taupo Quay, was totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak evidently started in an upstairs bedroom, and spread -with great rapidity. "When the Town Fire Brigade arrived, the buildings were a mass of flame. Assistance also came from the suburban brigades, and for over an hour a combined effort had to be made to prevent the fire spreading into an adjoining business area. At one stage, a boardinghouse on the opposite side of Taupo Quay caught alight. The fire spread into Roes and Glendining's warehouse, adjoining Foster's Hotel, and was not checked before considerable damage was done. Foster's Hotel was crowded with visitors to the races, who lost their effects. Details of insurances are not obtainable, but it is understood there is £8000 on the hotel building, and £350 on the furniture, mostly in the London and Lancashire Office. ■ The jewellery belonging to guests, valued at £3000. was in the hotel safe. Its fate is unknown. Ross and Glendining's premises were mainly damaged by water. The insurance on the building is £2800, in the South British Office. . 0