FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 281, 20 August 1908, Page 9

FIRES.

CHELTENHAM HOTEL DESTROYED, (nr TEMcnurH—ntEss association.)

. ■ Feliding, August 19. The Cheltenham Hotel, owned by Mr. E. Riddiford, and leased by Mr, S. W. R. Evans was totally .destroyed by fire at 2.30 o'clock this morning. The only occupants wore Mr. Evans and his wife and child, and olio boarder. They' had a narrow escape, only getting out with their nightclothes on. Tho origin of the fire is unknown.

The adjoining buildings, including a general store and post office, were saved with difficulty.

The building, a large two-story one, was burnt to the ground in fifteen minutes. The insurances are not available; Mr. Evans is very well known in the district as a football referee.

A small fire at a house in Daniel Street, owned by Mrs. E. J. Howan and occupied by Mrs. O'Flalierty, was reported to require tho attention of tho Fire Brigade at 1 o'clock yesterday morning; Damage to some wallpaper in a back bedroom was dono, but tho flames had been got under before the brigade arrived. Tho damago is estimated at about £1. Another call u'as received at 5.20 a.m. to a coachsmith's shop in K.iddiford Street-. Tho shop 1 was occupied by Mr, A. Hutchings. Weatherboarding in the corner of tho blacksmith's shop was damaged to the extent of about £2.