FATAL FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 41, 16 August 1930, Page 11

FATAL FIRE

MAN SUFFOCATED

OUTBREAK IN GRESHAM

HOTEL

An outbreak of fire in tho Gresham Hotel shortly before 11.30 o'clock this morning was attended by fatal results, a man named Cameron, who is believed to have arrived by tho Lyttelton ferry to-day, being suffocated to death.

It appears that the fire started in Camoron's room right at the rear of the second and top floor of the building. It quickly burst through the roof, and was making its way to the front of the building when the Fire Brigade arrived. By this time a large crowd had gathered on Lambton quay, and many anticipated seeing a spectacular blaze. They must have been disappointed, however, for the brigade quickly got the outbreak under control and all those on Lambton quay saw was smoke coming from the rear of tho hotel, and also issuing from two windows in the front. Three engines, two from tho Central Station and one from Thorndon, were on the scene, but the big extension ladder was not required. When the brigadesmen madcr their way upstairs they found Cameron lying in tho doorway of his room. He was clad only in his singlet. His room and five others at the rear of the premises were completely gutted, while a number of others suffered damage from fire and water. On account of the absence of any evidence, so far, the cause ox the outbreak can only be conjectured, but one theory is that Cameron had got into bed for the purpose of obtaining rest and had dropped off to sleep while smoking. He was a wellbuilt man about thirty yearß of age.

Occupants of other rooms did not waste any time in escaping when they realised what had occurred, and they lost a considerable amount of their personal offects. Two members of the staff last everything they had.*

So quickly did the outbreak occur that those in the front of the house did not realise that anything was amiss until they heard the Fire Brigade. The hotel is owned and occupied by Mr. P. J. Griffin. No insurances are yet available.