BIG PICTON FIRE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 218, 10 June 1933, Page 13

BIG PICTON FIRE

Hotel Razed; Another Partly Burned HARD TASK FOR BRIGADE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Blenheim, June 9. About three o'clock this morning lire broke out in the Post Office Hotel, Wellington Street, Picton, and the building was completely destroyed, as was the wooden portion of Oxley’s Hotel next door. Flames spread across the street and scorched the fronts of the Kiosk tea rooms owned by Mr. A. B. Clemens and of Mr. J. L. Jones’s book shop. The beat cracked windows in these premises. At the time of the outbreak in the Post Office Hotel the proprietress, Mrs. Hazel Wilson, and three or four boarders and the staff were asleep. They were awakened to find the structure in flames, and all had to make a hurried exit in their night attire, absolutely nothing being saved. Indeed, the building, an old wooden structure of about 20 rooms, erected about 40 years ago, burned with such fierceness that in the circumstances it is fortunate that everybody was enabled to get clear. Blazing Like a Torch. When the brigade arrived the old hotel was blazing like a torch in the still winter air. Flames .were leaping up to an extraordinary height, presenting an awe-inspiring spectacle. It was obvious that nothing could be done toward salvage, and the brigade was compelled to concentrate its efforts on saving the building adjoining Oxley’s Hotel. This was done while the Post Office Hotel was reduced to ashes. Portion of Oxley’s Hotel, however, is built of wood, and in spite of the absence of wind the lire spread rapidly to this portion, a great deal of damage being done, including the wiping-out of the kitchens, damage to the dining room, and other parts. There is also considerable loss through water and smoke in the more modern parts of the building. It seemed for a long time as though, iu spite of the brick walls, nothing could save the whole of Oxley’s Hotel and the adjoining wooden block, and the brigade is deserving of the greatest credit for the splendid save which it made, though it was not until the Post Office Hotel had practically disappeared that the danger was averted. Opposite Buildings Scorched. The buildings on the other side of Wellington Street were scorched and windows were broken, but in the absence of wind and with the brigade in action there was never any real danger of these catching fire. The Post Office Hotel was owned by Mr. J. Hicks, a former licensee, who now resides in Canterbury. The building and its contents, which belonged to Mrs. Wilson, are insured in the Sun office for a total amount of £2500. Oxley’s Hotel and its contents are owned by the licensee, Mr. W. 11. Gittings. His insurances are not available, but it is understood that it is adequately covered.

The fire attracted the whole of the population of Picton. and also brought in residents from some of the outlying districts, but the big crowd was orderly and well behaved, and remained at a distance, which gave the fire brigade full scope for its arduous job. One of the boarders at the Post Office Hotel was a blind native named Pohi White, but he was safely guided to the open air.