FIRE AT WAVERLEY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 185, 3 May 1933, Page 11

FIRE AT WAVERLEY

Loss of Commercial Hotel OCCUPANTS’ ESCAPE Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, Al ay 2, The Commercial Hotel, Waverley, was totally destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. So intense was the heat of the conflagration that the Clarendon Hotel opposite almost caught tire as well, only a fortunate change in the direction of the wind preventing the loss of both hotels. The licensee and other occupants of the Commercial Hotel had a narrow escape, and left the burning building in their night attire. They were unable to save any of their belongings. The building, which was of wood, quickly burst into flames, which were fanned by a strong breeze. The brigade was set a hopeless task, and was compelled to concentrate its efforts on adjoining buildings. The intense heat set alight the Clarendon Hotel opposite, and very soon all the windows were broken by the heat, and curtains and blinds were soon ablaze. Fortunately the wind dropped at this stage, otherwise nothing could have prevented the destruction of both hotels. The brigade cut through the roof of the Clarendon Hotel and concentrated its efforts in this quarter to prevent further damage being done.