FIRE AT WAIROA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8389, 28 March 1913, Page 3

FIRE AT WAIROA

HALL, HOTEL, AND SHOPS DESTROYED. Press Association. WAIROA, March 27. A fire which broke out to the west of the Clyde Hotel at 2.15 to-day developed into a disastrous blaze, resulting in the destruction of two small unoccupied shops, the Jubilee Hall, and the Clyde Hotel, with the outbuildings and most of the contents. The fire started in an old unoccupied shop next to the Jubilee Hall, which soon caught and burnt fiercely. The hotel was a large double-story building. Though iron was on the side attacked, the building was doomed from the first, and when the windows were broken the flames entered, and the hotel was a roaring furnace. Sheets of iron were lifted by the updraught and thrown high in the air, and in falling they ignited the outbuildings, all of which were soon reduced to ashes. Strenuous exertions Hvere made to save the residence of Mr G. Taylor, grocer, and so to stop the fire from spreading to another block. As it was, various places in the town were set on fire by sparks, including a dwelling close by the new Presbyterian Church, but it was put out. The origin of the fire is a mystery, as the old building was kept securely looked. The total loss is £7OOO.

Insurances, so far as known, total £750. The hotel is insured by the owners, but the amount is not known here.