Destructive Fire at Russell

Northland Age, Volume 1, Issue 9, 4 December 1931, Page 5

Destructive Fire at Russell

The Duke of Marlbofough Hotel, Russell, and “The Gables,” the large boarding house adjoining the hotel, were destroyed on Monday morning by fire. The damage is estimated at about £IO,OOO.

The fire commenced about five o’clock in “The Gables,” maids who were preparing early morning tea noticing smoke escaping from an upstairs bedroom on the side of the house furthest from the hotel. The alarm was given and the occupants were able to make their escape in safety. The fire spread with great rapidity through the building, a twostoreyed wooden structure of considerable age.

The fire quickly reached the hotel. There was only a narrow alleyway between the two buildings, with a concrete wall separating them, and the flames speedily obtained a good hold in the hotel. As soon as it was seen that the hotel was in danger, helpers, men, women and children, set to work to remove the furniture and effects and all the guests were able to remove their personal possessions. By the time the fire had spread through the building most of the contents had safely been removed, while the records and trophies of the Bay of Islands Swordfish Club, which were housed in the building, were also saved.

When the fire raged at its height it appeared that it might spread further and several times the flames obtained a hold on the next house, a building owned by Mr. C. Baker. Each time the outbreak was extinguished successfully, but the building was considerably damaged. “The Gables” was owned by Mrs. F. E. Clow, who acted as proprietress, and contained about 40 rooms. It was insured for £2,000 in the New Zealand Office, which also held a policy for £ISOO on the contents. The hotel, which was owned by Hancock and Company, Ltd., and contained 23 rooms, was insured for £2OOO in the Commercial Union Office, there being a further policy of £3OO on an annexe. The licensee was Mr. J. P. English. Kaitaia Fleur-de-Lys The subject for the next meeting has been altered to a reading by Miss Burns on “Europe Since the War.”