FIRE IN HOTEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22145, 26 June 1935, Page 12

FIRE IN HOTEL

PASSER-BY CALLS BRIGADE GUESTS UNAWARE OF DANGER [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WAIHI, Tuesday While guests at tho Commercial Hotel, Seddon Street, were at dinner this evening, a fire broke out in an upstairs room. A heavy gale was blowing at the time and it was not until tho arrival of the brigade that the occupants of the hotel know of the danger. The fire, which apparently had broken out in a private sitting room, had been noticed by a passer-by, Mr. J. Mair, and he had promptly called the brigade. The outbreak was quickly controlled, but rooms beneath the seat of the fire were damaged by water. All the occupants escaped in safety, but Mr. T. Hurley, the licensee, lost a considerable quantity of money which he had rescued from the safe. Apparently tlie money fell from his pocket and was either destroyed by fire or swept away by water. The building, a two-storey wood and iron structure of 45 rooms, is owned by Mrs. H. I). M. Haszard, of Waihi, and is insured for £3500. The furniture and stock, belonging to Mr. Hurley, are also covered.

LARGE HOUSE BURNED TAT UAN HI FARMER'S LOSS [by telegraph—own correspondent] MORRINSVILLE, Tuesday A 10-roomed house at Tatuanui, owned and occupied by Mr. P. H. Saxton, a well-known Waikato farmer, was destroyed by tire early this afternoon. Mr. Sax ton was absent in Morrinf.ille at the time, but Mrs. Saxton and a young child were in the house and had to make a hurried exit. Neighbours were able to prevent the wash-house from catching fire, but nothing could be done to save the house or its contents. Tho property was insured with Lloyd's. HOMESTEAD DESTROYED NOTHING SAVED FROM FLAMES [by telegraph—own correspondent] TE AWAMUTU. Tuesday A fire early this afternoon destroyed tho homestead of Mr. William Thompson, a well-known farmer, of Wharepuhunga, about twenty miles south-east of To Awamutu. The owner was attending a County Council meeting at Otoroiianga at the time. His wife and other occupants escaped from the building unhurt. The fire was fanned by a- westerly breeze and soon demolished the house, nothing being saved. MOTOR-CAR AND CYCLE OUTBREAK IN A GARAGE A small motor-ear and a motor-cycle were damaged by fire in a garage, owned by Mr. L. McLaren, of Watea Road, Sandringham, shortly after 10 o'clock last night. Tho motor-car was considerably damaged before it was taken out of the garage, and the motor-cycle was practically destroyed. The garage was gutted. The Mount Albert, and Mount Roskill brigades responded to a call from a street alarm. Neither the garage nor tho contents were covered by insuranco.