SECOND EDITION. DISASTROUS FIRES AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 25, 29 July 1895, Page 3

SECOND EDITION. DISASTROUS FIRES AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

TWO MEN BURNED TO DEATH. i by txleqrafh. — pbsss association j Pamierston North, This Dat. Two fires broke oat this morning between 1 and 2 o'clock, almost simultaneously. The first occurred at the Empire Hotel, which was burnt to the ground. Jeok's tinsmith's shop, adjoining, was scorched. Most of the inmates of tho hotel had narrow escapes. Two men — ono named Walker (ft hawker reoently from Victoria, aged 34), and th» other an old man named Maurice Connell — were burned to death in attempting to escape. The origin of the fire is unknown. The second fire occurred a few minotes after in Hatty's fruit shop, in the Square. Mr. Hatty had a narrow escape. The fire destroyed tho shops of Messrs. Harfy and Haydon (grocor), and also tho office of .Messrs. Gny and Haggitt, solicitors, and the office of the Drainago Board's Engineer. Very little was saved boyond the Board's books and Mr. Guy's papers, which were in a strong room. Mr. Guy was insured for £80 in the London and Lancashire ; Mr. Haydon's atock for .£2OO iv the same office, .£5OO in the Imperial, and .£3OO in the Commercial Union. These buildings were owned by Captain Mowlem, and insured for .£l5O in the National and .£650 in the London and Lancashire (the latter risk being re.insured for .£250 in the Commercial Union and .£lOO in the Standard) ; Harty'a for £50 in the Imperial and £100 in the Alliance. The Empire Hotel was insured for £1000 in the Commercial Union and £1000 in the National ; the stock and furniture for £1000 in the United, £750 of this being re-insured. Mr. Jack, is insuied for £250 in the New Zealand. The bodies were recovered this morning, but were unrecognisable. Te Ato House, next Mowlem's Buildings, was saved with difficulty by the exertions of the Fire Brigade.