NARROW ESCAPES FROM FLAMES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 301, 16 September 1936, Page 11

NARROW ESCAPES FROM FLAMES

Fire at Oriental Bay EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO PRIVATE HOTEL When the top story of the Berkeley Private Hotel, at 22 Oriental Terrace, caught fire yesterday morning, several of the occupants had narrow escapes from being trapped by the flames. Fanned by the fresh northerly wind, the fire rapidly gained a firm hold, and although the Central Fire Brigade was successful in subduing it, the greater part of the top story, from the central block to the south wing, was destroyed, and extensive damage was done to the lower story by the heat and by water. Several of the boarders were stated to have lost practically all their goods. The hotel is a two-story wooden building, with an iron roof. The fire broke out on the second floor, apparently from a wastepaper basket in the corridor. There were about 60 guests at the hotel, many of whom were away in the city at the time. A housemaid who noticed smoke pouring down the passage gave the alarm; the cry of “Fire!” was raised, and the porter rang for the brigade. The fresh wind sent the flames roaring through the interior of the building, into such rooms as had their doors open, and in a very few minutes the whole of the top story was alight. Flames licked out of the windows, and a column of heavy smoke rolled up the hillside.

One of the maids who was upstairs at the time saw the flames racing through the building, and dashed for the stairs, just in time to avoid having her retreat cut off. An invalid in bed in the north wing of the building was helped out by her nurse, but that wing escaped damage. Another elderly woman, however, was trapped in an upstairs room, and had to make an adventurous exit through the window. The fire brigade, which had received the call at 10.41 a.m., was on the scene by a quarter to eleven. Two engines were sent away, and with two hoses at work the fire was subdued with great efficiency. The upper story was left little more than a charred shell of blackened woodwork, and at least a dozen rooms were completely gutted. Luckily the fire had not had the opportunity to obtain a hold of the north wing of the buildings. After the fire the lawn and drive were littered with the personal effects of boarders, who had rushed them out and deposited them haphazard In their haste to save what they could. Taxis removed the chattels of those whose accommodation had been spoiled, and who would have to seek lodging elsewhere, while a stream of anxious boarders came hurrying from the city, where they had learned of the Are by telephone.

The property was stated to be part of the Knowesley Estate, the tenant and proprietor of the hotel being Mr. Leslie F. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly took over the place some three months ago. It is understood that their property was insured.