FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13307, 12 June 1905, Page 5

FIRES.

TWO LIVES LOST IN AN HOTEL FIRE. (Pee UsiTEn Punas AsmnnvrmN.) THAMES, June 11. At. 3 o'clock this morning ■ the Brian Boru Hotel, a two-?toneyed building containing' oyer' 40 rooms, was discovered to be on- fire, which commenced in the larijo eastern wing. The Barnes spread with great rapidity alo*isr the passage of the upper storey, rendering the escape of the occupant* difficult Tho fire had obtained a firm hold when the brisade appeared, and was' only suppressed when the whole upper portion was destroyed and the lbwcr part completely jutted AU the inmates managed to escape, maav olad only in night apparel. oxctpt hvor-Joim' M'Nali., a momher of tho firm of Mason'and M'Nab. monumental masons, Auckland, and Joseph Sheldon, a bushman from the Turua district, near Thames. The bedrooms of both were situated in the portion of the building where the fire rag»d fiercest. When tho fire was overcome the bodies of the unfortunate men were' dkoovwed in their rooms. M'Nab was partly dressed, find had cvidraUy endeavoured to reach the door when lie was overcome by the suffocating fumes, to which he succumbed. • The body \vhioh w»6 found alongside the bed, was partly burnt. Sheldon must Wvo been atnhvxiafod with greater eiKkk-nuoss. His body wan found lying across the bed, only slightly burnt. M'Nab was about 50 years of age. Ee leaves a wife and family in Auckland. Sheldon was a siugle man, and is believed to hsvo no relatives in the colony. Many of the inmates hod narrow escapes, and lost everything, including a roodlv quantity of jeweifery and raluables. The hotel was owned and ooeupi*d by Kate Twohill, an old resident of the- Thames. Tho hotel was only rebuilt a few months ago. The insurances on the building and furniture are not available.

NELSON, June 11. I _ A fire broke out at 3 o'clock this mom- : ing in the stores of Messrs Rankin and Sons, at Motueka, and spread to the shop of Mr Jlidion, the insurance office, and lorrceter's Hall. These were all completely destroyed. The premises of DelaDy and Kind were saved with great difficulty. Mr Rudnian, of the tolemph office, was slightly hurt, and Mr lir was ovorcomo by the heat and smokft while fifrhting tho fire. 1 Messrs Rankin had over £ICO in the safe, on opening which some books were found decipherable, and tho numbers of some notes ascertainable Tho insurances are not known yet, and the * damage \ has not jpeon estimated.