FIRE DESTROYS HOTEL

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25953, 5 November 1949, Page 6

FIRE DESTROYS HOTEL

FIERCE BLAZE AT CULVERDEN HANMER AND WAIAU BRIGADES CALLED The Culverden Hotel in North Canterbury was burned to the ground yesterday afternoon and an adjoining dwelling, occupied by the owner, was badly damaged. The hotel had two storeys and 19 bedrooms. The big wooden building was at least 60 years old. No one was injured; but much equipment and personal property was lost. Neighbouring t premises were evacuated when a high northwest wind threatened to spread the blaze to shops and other dwellings. The building and contents were insured for £9750 with the National Insurance Company of New Zealand, Ltd. Workmen had been burning off the hotel during the morning in preparation for painting. The fire was noticed on the upper floor soon after noon. Hundreds of voluntary helpers worked feverishly to save material from the hotel. They then, removed all property frofii the house and also cleared completely the stocks from a nearby general store. Culverden residents had decided only last Monday to form a district fire brigade and, in the absence of fire-fighting equipment, calls were sent to the Hanmer Springs Volunteer Fire Brigade. 20 miles away, the Waiau Volunteer Fire Brigade 14 miles away, and the State Forest Service units at Balmoral about 10 miles to the south. These brigades all arrived in very short time; but the hotel was well alight and attention w r as concentrated on saving the other buildings. Everyone in Culverden agreed that a large part of the town would have been endangered but for their concerted efforts. The Hanmer Springs brigade drew water from the swimming baths nearly a quarter of a mile away. Waiau used the two big railway water tanks. The State Forest Service ran a swift shuttle service in filling portable tanks from nearby streams. Culverden is not reticulated. Building Razed in Hour The blaze was so fierce that the whole hotel had been razed within an hour. The licensee, Mr J. R. Burrows, had been outside the hotel and noticed smoke pouring from the roof. About the same time his daughter. Miss Betty Burrows, saw fire on the upper storey and rang an alarm bell which had been installed only a few weeks ago. Persons at lunch in the dining room, others in the bar, and the staff all hurried upstairs to rescue personal belongings. Many of them then moved quickly to the street by platform and ladder fire escapes which had just been completed. Escape ropes had previously been provided. Most of the people of Culverden had gathered by then to assist in salvage. Men rushed inside and carted furniture through the doors. On both floors windows were broken and lighter articles thrown out to other helpers who removed them from danger. When the fire approached the home next door of Mrs Beatrice Gudsell, the owner of the hotel, all her property was quickly shifted to a section across the road. One wall was burnt out or badly charred, and the whole interior of the bungalow, suffered damage from flames, heat, smoke, or water.

Mrs Gud?ell had left for Christchurch in the morning; but her sister, Mrs Berrhe, and friends. Miss Robb and Mr and Mrs P. Caddigan. were still in the house.

The fire seemed likely to spread down the street and workers then removed the total stock from the North Canterbury Supply Stores. The flames were checked at Mrs Gudsell’s home, however, and these goods were returned safely, if in some disorder. Losses of Residents

There were 16 guests in the hotel on Thursday night and the total staff was seven. Most of them lost some property; though all saved something. The only permanent resident was a schoolteacher. Miss C. M. Kennedy, who is believed to have saved all her possessions. The cook, Mrs Valerie White, had been married early this year, and . lost all her trousseau, jewellery, and crystal. Miss Betty Burrows thought she had saved a good deal of her own property; but was worried at the Joss of the trophies of the Culverden Swimming Club, of which she is secretary. Mr and» Mrs F. Holm, barman and waitress, worked hare} to save hotel property and also rescued a good deal of their own. While sorting over piles of goods stacked in the roadway, Mrs Holm was clutching an alarm clock and a song called “To Each His Own.”

Late yesterday afternoon, people from the hotel considered that they had saved most of their top clothes, that most equipment from the ground floor had been removed; but that heavy losses from the upper floor might be expected. Only a quarter of the bar stocks were recovered, and much of this was dispensed to helpers. Mr and Mrs Burrows worked hard during the afternoon to fulfil the provision that a temporary bar must be established within 24 hours to save forfeiture of the licence. This will be set up in the town billiard room. Farmers in the surrounding districts are storing salvaged goods in woolsheds. Many others offered accommodation. Mr Reece Park, a young auctioneer, is !5 k i ng - l he - I ? cen / e e’s family and the 4 S u aff i_ hls firm ’ s house opposite the hotel.

Mr W J. Gudsell. who owned the hotel before his death, raced the pacer Flutus, who was nationally known for outstanding performances about 10 .years ago. A small child found among the salvaged goods the silver-plated horseshoe retained by Mrs Gudsell in memory of Plutus.