FIRE AT OTAKI

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8750, 4 June 1914, Page 7

FIRE AT OTAKI

HOSPITAL THREATENED AN ANNEXE DESTROYED. A fire which destroyed an annexe to tho Otr.ki Hospital and at ono stage threatened the main building occurred ' about 1 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Tbo annexe was situated about twelve! feet on tho eastern wide of the hospital, and consisted of a porter’s room, maid’s sleeping-room, a sitting-room, and two storerooms. There was a firo in the porter?s room when he left about 1 p.m., and a little later a patient noticed smoko issuing from tho building. Ho at once gave the alarm, and Dr Huthwaito and -xij W. McKegg (chairman of tho Town, Board) organised a bucket and blanket 1 brigade, and managed to keep the outfcroak from oxtending to tho main building. „ Luckily a westerly wind was blowing, and this assisted them in their effort:,, for by the time tho annexe was btlrnc'li to tiio ground tho hospital building proper' had only received a scorching. Some of the patients loft tho hospital while the lire was in x’rogrois, and arrangements had been made to remove the others if it was necessary. The outbreak is supposed to have been caused by sparks from the firo in

tho porter’s room. Tho hospital buildings are insured in live State Ofiico and the South British office. ■