ANOTHER FIRE AT TE KARAKA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3995, 28 July 1913, Page 5

ANOTHER FIRE AT TE KARAKA.

THE HOTEL DESTRQYED. BUiLbINC TOTALLY DEMOLISHED; GUESTS ESCAPE IN NIGHT ATTIRE. The To Karaka Hotel, a commodious wooden building containing 55 rooms, was totally destroyed by fire early on Sunday morning, so that nothing of the building now stands, save a smouldering heap of debris, comprising bent iron, twisted bedsteads and the like. It will be remembered that the hotel was threatened with destruction by the fire which occurred at Te Karaka on Friday and demolished three more modest structures adjoining the hotel. The outbreak occurred at about 12.30 a.m., and the flames worked such havoc that the place was totally ruined an hour later. There were no means of fire prevention available, and onlookers had simply to keep their distance and see the . building eaten up by the devouring flames. Several shops cn_ Uie opposite side of the road had to be doused with water, and indeed some of them were alight on more than one occasion, but these minor outbreaks were easily coped with. With the hotel and other buildings now gone, Te Karaka presents quite a dismal appearance. The building was the property of Mr D. J. Barry, and the licensee is Mr G. Wiliams. The fire originated in room No. 27 on the town side of the building. At about 12.30 a man named Smellie, who occupied the adjoining room, heard a crackling noise in the nextroom. It should be explained that some minutes previous, Smellie heard the occupant of room number 27 go out, and he had been in only, a light sleep from that time. Going into room he found both beds and the curtains ablaze with the fire creeping up the walls. Smellie tried to put the fire out, but finding that he could not, aroused the household by thumping on every door at hand and creating a general din. The whole of the occupants were able to escape.with little more than their night attire, owing to the remarkable rapidity with which the fire snread. Had it not been for Smellie’s timely warning and prompt action, there would almost certainly have been a fatality, because some of the ways out of the hotel ..meant passing through passages before coming to the stairs. Mr Williams, the licensee. went round the hotel at 11 p.m. and round that everything was right. On his round he ‘looked into the bedroom in question and all appeared quiet and safe. Its occupant was then lying on the bed fully dressed.

The hotel, as stated above, is of considerable proportions, and among the rooms are 42 bedrooms. The majority or these were occupied- by staff and boarders and most of those in the house escaped in their night attire. The scramble for safety was accomplished in a very brief space of time, and no-or.e had any great thought for anything save getting out. Consequently, next to nothing was saved in the form of property or personal belongings. Not a single article or furniture was saved, and the one thing brought on t-o the road was Mr "W illiams’ safe. Another safe, rescued from the Bank of New Zealand premises at Friday’s fire, was lost.

The fire crept round to the rear portion of the hotel in a matter of minutes, and the brilliant glare which followed illuminated the country for a considerable distance around, while the reflection in the sky was seen by Constable Henderson, who was on duty in Gladstone Road. A very slight westerly wind was blowing,’ jut sufficient to keep the fire burning for some considerable time. The biggest danger was for the wooden shops on the other side of the road, some of which were alight on occasions. A well-organised bucket brigade, however, kept a continual supply of water on the shop fronts and minimised the risk. Foote’s butcher's shop directly opposite was the greatest sufferer, and was subjected to the greatest charring, although the residents performed a great feat- in keeping the flames away. Crimmin's blacksmith premises also were in danger, and the plate glass in Mr Allan’s two shops was,broken. The spacious shop in which Mr A. M. Lewis does business was not altogether free front danger, and attention had to be paid in this direction. Bv about 1.30 a.m., the fire had subsided, and all left was a smouldering smoking mass. If the frame bad stood for another ten minutes those present consider that the _ whole of the shops on the opposite side of the road might have gone. _ The residents very kindly provided accommodation for a number of those who escaped from the fire. A telephone message _ was sent through to town asking for the fire engine to proceed out. but as it was not considered that a great deal could be done, the request was not acceded to. THE INSURANCES. The insurances were as follow: Mr Barry, on the buildings—hotel, £2650; stables £200; baker’s shop at the rear, £100; all in the Royal Exchange. Mr "Williams, on the stock and furniture. £llOO in the Royal Office.