FIRE AT THE TAITA. A NARROW ESCAPE.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 113, 14 May 1895, Page 2

FIRE AT THE TAITA. A NARROW ESCAPE.

The Travellers' Best Hotel, Taita, together with " Honeymoon Cottage " and th=s stables adjoining, was destroyed by fire this morning. The licensee, Mrs. James Gnilford, retired to bed at half-past 10 last night, and was awakened about 1 a.m. by the crackling of firo. The hotel was tben in flames, and Mrs. Gnilford and her family had a narrow escape with their lives. Mr. P. L. Harnott, who lived olobo by, was aroused by hearing Mrs. Guilford scream, and he was on the Bcene only juat in time, as the licensee's bedroom was on fire wben be arrived. She was unable to get one by the bedroom door, and Mr. Harnett rescued her by pnlling her out of a window. Tho origin of tbo outbreak is a myßtery. Tho hotel was a well-built two story strnoture of abont 20 rooms and it and the outbuildings were leased by the Staples Brewery Company from the Buok estate. The stables were insured for £200, and the hotel and " Honeymoon Cottage " for £800, both with tho United Company. Of the total amount £725 was reinsured as follows j— Phoenix, £300; New Zealand and National, £150 each ; and Commercial Union, £125. The furniture, stook, and piano were insured in the Commercial Union for £250.