ARKLE'S BAY FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21855, 18 July 1934, Page 12

ARKLE'S BAY FIRE

BOARDING HOUSE BURNED RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES OCCUPANTS' HURRIED EXIT HEAVY LOSS TO OWNER A firo which occurred shortly after 11 o'clock last night destroyed the Arkle's Bay Private Hotel, a two-storeyed wooden structure. The five occupiers had retired, and they made a hurried exit. Nothing could bo done to prevent the spread of the flames and the loss to the proprietor, Mr. J. H. Hodgson, is a heavy one. It is thought that the fire began in the sitting room. Mr. Hodgson was not quite asleep when he heard the noise of the flames, and he quickly aroused his wife, their two sons, and a brother of Mrs. Hodgson, Mr. George Morrison. They left the building hurriedly, taking with them some personal effects. It was evident that it would not be long before the building would he destroyed, as a strong Southerly wind was coming directly into the bay. The building; was by the beach and caught the full force" of the wind.

Several neighbours were attracted by the glare, and they assisted the occupiers to remove a number of pieces of furniture and a valuable clock before the buildine was completely enveloped in flames. With no water supply available, nothing could be done and by midnight the building was a pile of ruins.

Mr. and Mrs. Hodgson had taken over the boarding house, which comprised some 40 rooms, only about last September. The establishment was well known to summer visitors. Fortunately for the proprietor, the flames did not reach the outbuildings, in which valuable property was stored. It is understood that the boarding house was insure^!.

The occupiers were accommodated at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. M. Pfister.