FIRES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17936, 3 December 1923, Page 11

FIRES.

OUTBREAK AT LEESTON.

HOTEL DESTROYED. The largest fire seen in Leeston for many years occurred yesterday morning, resulting in the total destruction of th© Leeston Hotel and an adjacent building used as offices by . the Springs-Ellesmere Electric Power Board, Messrs Smithson and Mosley (solicitors), and Davie and Harris (surveyors). The alarm was given about 5 o'clock, and by the time the .f ire Brigade arrived the entire front, portion of the building was in flames, and efforts to effect a save would ha,v" been quite kopelevSS. The brigade wisely turned its attention to the saving of other buildings in the immediate vicinity, but owing to the unsatisfactory water supply and defective plant, quite twenty minutes elapsed belore a stream of water could be played on to the flames. Had. the brigade been ablo t*> get to work immediately, the building adjoining the hotel could have been saved.

The contents of the Power Board's office were got out, but the entire contents of the hotel were destroyed. Mr G. H. I{yde r s Claoksmithing shop on the opposite side of the street caugat fire, but strenuous efforts on the part of the owner and the brigade were rewarded with success. The license© of the hotel is Mr J. F. McCbrmack, son sf the owner, Mr James McCormack, iiealey avenue, Christchurch. He entered into possession only two or three months ago. Several of tbo inmates of the hotel Lad no time to gather, up their personal effects, and had to escape in their nigKi attire. The origin of the fire is shrouded in mystery. The building adjoining the hotel which was destroyed was also owned by Mr McCormack. The hotel was insured for £2500 in the office of the Southern Insurance Company, and the other building for £4OO in the same office. The contents and stores in the hotel nvere also covered, but details were not available last evening.

The Fire Brigade received a call at 2.53 p.m. yesterday for a fire in a house at 403 Montreal street occupied by Mrs Grace Plummer. The fire, which was in tKe ridging of the roof at the rear of the house, was extinguished by the inmates without the assistance £>f the brigade. At 6.48 p.m. yesterday the Christchurch Brigade was summoned to a fire at 67 St. Asaph street, where a detached wash-house was slightly damaged.

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