FIRES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17749, 28 April 1923, Page 7

FIRES.

SERIOUS OUTBREAK AT WAIROA (rSESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) AVAIROA, April 27. One of the most dsastrous tires in the history of the town occurred early this morning, resulting in the complete destruction of tne YVairoa Hotel, E.eryuoity's Theatre, and two shops, with'dwel.ing atta.hed. The Duco garage adjoining, was saved by an improvised bucktt crigade. There was no water supply or fire-fighting appliances. Fortunately there was a southerly wind, otherwise much greater damage must haie resulted. The hotel 'boarders, includin-g Cluef Judge Joi'-es of the Native Land Court, Mr Levy, S.M. S . and several commercial travellers had narrow escapes, losing practically everything and escaping in their nightclothes. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is thought that it started in a small storeroom of the hotel urstairs. A boarder named Mrs Hook- fell down a fire escape suffering a tprained ankle. Jwo boarders received a scorching, their hands being badly burned. The insurances "are not available. , ARSENAL DESTROYED. (BT CABLfi—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) ("THE TIMKS.") PARIS, April 26. The Maubcngc Arsenal was destroyed by fire. The stores, guns, and ammunition were saved. The damage is estimated at eight million francs.