FIRES IN THE SUBURBS

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 7

FIRES IN THE SUBURBS

BLAZE AT SHIEL HILL HOTEL. A fire which broke out at the Shiel Hill Hotel last night resulted in the total destruction of seven of the ten rooms in the building. The property is owned by Mr A. Ferguson, and the licensee is Mr Earle Richardson. The wooden portion of the building was insured for £SOO and the brick portion for £4OO with the National Insurance Company. Tho alarm was given at 9.53 p.m., and tho City Brigade, with its South Dunedin section, lost no time in getting to the scene of the fire. Tho building was found to be blazing fiercely. The nearest water plug was a considerable distance away, and the pressure was poor, so that tho brigade worked under great disadvantage. One thousand feet of hose had to bo brought into uso ; and the two first-aid tanks were commissioned. For fully an hour and a-ha!f the firemen fought the flames, and as a result of their efforts three rooms were saved. The other seven rooms were absolutely destroyed, ns well as a wooden shed alongside. At about 10 o’clock tho City Brigade returned to town, leaving tho South Dunedin Brigade in charge. Tho contents arid stock are Insured with the 1.0. A. for £SOO. They wore not badly damaged. A call was received by the City Brigade at 5.28 p.m. yesterday to a three-roomed wooden cottage near Valpy street, St. Clair. One room and an outhouse wore damaged. The cottage is owned and occupied by Mr Western.