FATAL FIRE AT COROMANDEL.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9298, 26 December 1895, Page 5

FATAL FIRE AT COROMANDEL.

—-* ONE MAN BURNED AND IWO\* MISSING. THIRTEEN HOUSES DESTROYED. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELBORAMS.) COROMANDEL, December 24. A fire broke out last night at Coromaudel in Stehr's Hotel, which swept the street up and down from Handley's. residenoo to Furey's. Thirteen places were burnt down, namely:—Mrs Fernandez, Stehr's , Hotel and Hall (partly burnt), Mrs Love's, Jones and Co., PurceH's (owned by Dawson), Rugg (jeweller), Miss Bremner (dressmaker), Handley's houses, Nesbitt said Strong (saddler). Two men were badly injured through jumping nut of a house. One man, unknown, was burnt to death, and two others are missing. Many people lose everything. AUCKLAND, December 24. The firs at Coromandel broke out at 3 a.m. in Stehr's Hotel, King's road, the main thoroughfare, and swept that side of the street np and down. Only scanty and contradictory accounts of the affair have reached Auckland. Tbe hotel was in flames in a few minutes. Amongst the places destroyed are Stehr's. Hotel; the Hall (partly burnt); Fernandez and Newman's, dressmakers ; Nesbitt'a, tobacconist;. Gatling's (private house); Strong's, saddler; Edwards', draper; Love's, draper; Rugg's, jeweller; Jones and Egan's and Purcell'e. The fire was arrested by the pulling of Bridson's down into the street. The Bank of New Zealand, on the opposite side of the street, was only saved by the exertions of the officers. Had it gone, that side of the street would have been swept np and down. The loss is estimated at £6000. Mrs Fernandez is said to be insured, and. Mr Egan for £220. The only insurances that have transpired are from the offices in Auckland. The fits* and Garter Hotel, Stehr's, was insured for £300 in the South British; Mrs Edwards' store and stock for £700 in the New Zealand, Mrs Love for £126 in tbe i Standard* Mr Kub'tft buildings ud theif -

contents for £100 in the New Zealand. At 10 a,m.the skeleton of a man was found in the rains of the hotel. He was a traveller, who only arrived the previous night. One account says it is supposed to be Mr Campbell, of Kuaotunu ; another rumour is that it is Mr Harrison, from Auckland; but nothing certain is known as to the identification. Another man is said to be missing. A third man was injured in jumping from Stehr's hotel, and was sent to the Hospital, and another was injured in getting from another house. There is no Fire Brigade or water supply, although it is stated that a splendid supply is available, brought in from one of tbe mills.