FIRE AT ATEAMURI.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 185, 17 June 1896, Page 2

FIRE AT ATEAMURI.

Ckowtiier's Hotel destroyed,

Mr Charlos Crowther of tlio Ateaumri Hotel arrived in town yesterday and reported the total destruction' of liis premises by fire. As our readers know the hotel is situated on the bank of the AYaikato river, ami besides being a. favorite resort of tourists and sportsmen is the luncheon place for passengers travelling' between here and Taupo. "Mr Crowtlier states that wheji the alarm was giv6n the inmates were on the ground floor. The fire had broken out in tlio upper storev and had gained considerable mastery before it was discovered. The flames spread with wonderful rapidity and but afew articles of little vuliii! were saved. In twenty minutes after the fire was discovered tiv house was completely demolished. The telephone oflice attached to (he hotel fell a prey to the flames, but a store at the rear escaped, and the stables which are situated on the opposite sida of the road were untouched. Here, Mrs Crowther and the other inmates improvised a temporary lodging-place, i'roin the circumstance that the fire brokeout in the ull] ■ ei' storey it is surmised that a defect in the chimney, which is built of pumice, was tho cause of the disaster. Mr Crowther states that he was insured i-i the Phoenix oflice, ior £l7ij. but is a heavy loser. Mr It. D. Dansey, 1 lie owner of the building" returned from Auckland on tho previous lowing morning has broken in somewhat roughly on the enjoyment of his holiday, lie is insured for ±2OO, also in the Pliceni?i office, but this does not in any wav represent the value of the house.