FIRE AT GREEN ISLAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9138, 10 June 1891, Page 3

FIRE AT GREEN ISLAND.

At about half-past 3 o'clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in the Green Island Hotel, which resulted in the total destruction of that property. Tho licensee of the hotel, Mr David Richardson, retired thortly after 10 on the previous evening, leaviug a small fire in the bar parlour, and it is surmised that some ashes were blown out on to the floor and set fire to the building. However that may be, at the hour previously mentioned Mrs Richardson got up to attend to one of tho children, who was suffering with whooping cough, and found the house to be full of smoke. She awoke her husband, but some difficulty was experienced iv getting the children out with safety. This, however, was eventually done by means of a ladder, which was placed against the balcony in front of the house, the inmates escaping in their nightclothes. There waa nothing saved from the fire except £20 17s, which was found in a safe after the building was burnt down. Tho building belonged to Mr J. Toomey, of Duuedin, and consisted of 18 rooms. It was insured for £650 in the Standard Office, and Mr Richardson's fnrniture and effects were insured in the National Office for £400. It is, however, estimated that the loss over and above tho amount of tho insurances is £500—£200 on the building aud £300 on the furniture. At one time during the progress of the fire Mr Runcimau's flourmill opposite seemed in great danger of being destroyed; but that disaster was fortunately averted by Mr Runciman and his employes keeping a hose from the mill playing on the building. __^_____^^__.