A LONDON BLAZE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 201, 11 August 1911, Page 5

A LONDON BLAZE

CARLETON HOTEL FIRE. INMATES NEARLY TRAPPED. [PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYBIGHT]. London, Aug. 10. The Carlton Hotel fire originated in the shaft of the kitchen lift, and quickly involved the three upper floors and the roof. Being dinner time the hotel was crowded with wealthy American and foreign visitors. Many were dressing for Nlihner. Some who were having baths escaped in various stages of attire. A number of servants and guests who w-ere cut off from escape came to the upper windows and raised cries. They w-ere rescued with, the aid of ladders and others lowered themselves by ropes to the adjoining roofs. Within half an hour the flames had a great hold on the upper part of the huge building. Two hundred and fifty firemen, w-ith 25 steamers and a dozen ladders were soon on the scene.

While firemen w-ere exploring the building and attending to tire hoses the public assisted in removing the furniture and luggage, quantities of costly things being piled on the pavement.

One charred body was found on the upper floor, and was-identified as that of an American actor. Some of the firemen were overcome and were taken to the hospital.

A huge crowd was attracted to the fire, including Mr. Churchill. Some of the spectators bohooed him and cried, “What are you. doing here?”

The damage is estimated at £30,000.

His Majesty’s Theatre was damaged by water.

(Received 11, 9.10 a.m.) London, Aug. 10. Miss “Billie” Burke, actress, and Herr Durnburg. the ex- German Colonial Secretary, were among those who escaped from the Carlton Hotel.

[The mutilated condition of the telegraphic message we received relating to this fire yesterday a-f--ternoon made it appear as if tbefire had occurred at Wellington.]