BURNT TO DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 11

BURNT TO DEATH

HOTEL IN FLAMES

YOUNG MAf* TRAPPED

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

Y/AIHI, This Day. A man lost his life when the Commercial Hotel, owned, it is understood, by Dominion Breweries, Ltd., and occupied by H. V. Gibson, licensee, was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The victim was Frederick Miller, a miner, single, aged 25. He recently came from Waiuta, West Coast, and had previously resided in Duncdin. He was employed in the Martha "Gold Mining Company's mine.

The hotel, which was a large, old wooden structure, was erected over fifty years ago. It, contained twentyfour bedrooms which, at the time of the fire, were all occupied. The alarm was given at 5.30 a.m., but when the brigade arrived a few minutes later the upper storey was burning fiercely. Flames shot up over 100 feet into tlie air. So rapidly did the. fire spread through the upper floor that the occupants, with few exceptions, made their exit from fire escapes in their night attire.

When a tally of the occupants was made it was found that Miller was missing. Later his charred remains were found in the ruins.

Insurances on the building and contents are not available.