DISASTROUS FIRES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9432, 2 June 1896, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRES.

SEVEKAL FAMILIES HOMELESS. (PUHUS ASSOCIATION TKIiEQRAMS.) RBEbU'ON, June 1. A disastrous fire occurred at the Lyell at 11.30 o'clock last nighfc. It appears that it originated under the old Commercial Hotel, which ia owned an.l occupied by Mr Feuuell ias a merchandise atoreruom and as sleeping rooms for himself uud hid employees. The fire apread rapidiy aud the occupants only escaped with tneir lives through the wuidow over the verandah, lv a few minutes the whole street was on lire. The National Bank, Ryan's store and dweilitig-house, Roberta's nnuae, Barclay's house to the south were all completely burnt. On the north side two storerooms and the Empire Hotel next caught, and were gutted. A store occupied by JJeouett, and owned by Feanell, was next to go on the other aide of the road. Atkins's Lyell Times Office, Brown's shop aud dwelliug, Carmine's bootmaker shop, Feunell a draper's store, Holmaii'a store, MoFarlane's drapery store and Criterion Hotel were all burning at the same time and are completely destroyed. Nothing but a heap of twisted iron shows that the street once existed. The cause of the tire is unknown, but it originated at Fennell's, who ie the principal loser of six buildings, a store, hotel and contents, with m> insurance. Hβ estimates, his lose «,t £8000. The insutaaces are—Atkine £300 on the building and plant, Ryan £500 ou the slock and dwelling, Criterion Hotel £150, and National Buik £15U. Iv all twenty were destroyed, and some families are homeless and destitute. NAPIfcR, Jane 1. Two dwellings at Meauee, occupied respectively by Mr Moseu and Mrs Suter, were destroyed by fire yesterday morning, The. fire spread so rapidly that some of the imitates narrowly escaped with their lives. It was ouly by braakiug into the back bedroom through a window from the outside that four children sleepiug in a room adjoining Mr Moseu'a kitchen were rescued. The buildings Were the property of Mr James Heron, and were insured for £100 iv the National office.