FATALLY BURNED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14491, 4 October 1910, Page 5

FATALLY BURNED.

CAUGHT IN A BIG BLAZE. BUSHMAN'S FIGHT FOR LIFE. DEATH IN HOSPITAL. [BY TELEGRAM.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Gisborne, Monday. A 810 blaze occurred at the Morere hot springs at 1.30 this morning, bv which Mr. J. S- Cooper's accommodation house, a building containing 30 rooms, was completely destroyed. The only occupants of the premises were a bay and a man, the latter being named Patrick Donnelly. The boy escaped safely, but Donnelly had a hard fight for life. Upon being aroused by the noise of the fire, the boy rushed out into the passage, and found the place all in flames. He tried to waken the other occupant, but soon becamo frightened, and rushed out. It appears that Donnelly had been almost suffocated bv the smoke, and could not find bis way out, but after breaking several windows he succeeded in effecting an escape, although not before he was seriously burned. He was found by Mr. Kirk, when the latter was hastening to the fire, lying on the road, writhing in agony, with most of his clothing burned off, nearly all his hair singed off, and his arm badly burned. He was sent to airoa Hospital. Both the. occupants had slept in the same room, which was on the portion of the building furthest away from the seat of the fire. The fire was first observed by Mr. Fletcher, who was staying at the hotel, he being aroused by the glare through the window in his room. The building was then all in flames, and by the time several men arrived on the scene nothing could be done in the way of salvage. The origin of the fire is a mystery. Mrs. A* Bellerbv, who was to have taken up the occupancy of the building this week, lost all her furniture, which was stored in a couple of rooms. Some painters and a carpenter were still working about the premises adding the finishing touches, and they also lost their gear. The men themselves slept in tents opposite the hotel. It will be remembered that Mrs. Bellerby had a thrilling experience during the Easter flood, when the water from the river undermined her premises, and there was some danger of their being swept away. Since the flood, and whilst waiting for the accommodation house to be restored, Mrs. Bellerby has been living in a tent opposite the hotel. The house was insured for £1600 in the South British Office. In addition to the house, the billiardroom, 30ft away, on which there was an insurance of £300, was destroyed. The Standard Office had a cover of £500 on the furniture, £50 on the piano, and £50 on the billiard table. DEATH OF DONNELLY. [n telegraph.— ASSOCIATION.J Wairoa, Monday. The man Patrick Donnelly, who was injured in the fire at Bellerby's accommodation house, Morere, died in the hospital this afternoon. Deceased was 23 years of age. He was employed as a bushman. He had not long come from Irgland, but has a sister in Napier and a brother near Gisborne.