FATAL FIRE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1737, 14 June 1905, Page 55

FATAL FIRE

TWO MEN BURNED

THAMES, Juno 11. At 3 o’clock this morning the Brian Bora Hotel, a two-story building, containing over forty rooms, was discovered to be on fire. The fire commenced in the large c-stern wing, and t e flames spread with great rapidity along the passage of the upper story, ing escape by the occupants difficult. The fire had obtained a firm hold when the brigade appeared, and was only suppressed after the whole uppei poxtion was destroyed. The lower part was completely gutted. All the inmates except two managed to escaoe, many clad in night apparel. The bodies of John McNab, member of the firm of Mason and McNab, monumental masons, Auckland, and Joseph Sheldon, bushman, from the Turua district, near the Thames, were discovered in the rooms they occupied. McNab had partly dressed, and had evidently 'endeavoured to reach the door, but was overcome. Sheldon must have been asphyxiated with great suddenness. The body was found lying across the bed only slightly burnt. McNab was about fifty years old. He leaves a widow and family in Auckland. Sheldon was single, and is believed to have had no relatives in the colony. Many of the inmates had narrow escapes, and lost everything, including a goodly quantity of jewellery. _The hotel was owned and occupied, by Kate Twohill. It was only rebuilt a few months ago. The insurances on building and furniture are not yet available.