FUSES IN WANGANUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 37

FUSES IN WANGANUI.

WANGANTJI, February 21. At an early hour this evening Foster's Hotel, a large three-storeyed wooden building on Taupo quay, was totally destroyed by fire. The outbreak evidently started in an upstairs bedroom, and spread with great rapidity. When the town fire brigade arrived the building was a • mass of flame*. Assistance also came from suburban brigades, and for over an hour a combined effort had to be made to prevent the fire from spreading into the adjoining business area. At one stage a boarding-house on the opposite side of Taupo quay caught alight, but 'this was extinguished. The' fire spread into Ross and Glendining's warehouse, adjoining Foster's Hotel, and w*» . not checked before considerable damage had been done. Foster's Hotel was crowded j with visitors to the races, who lost their effects. Details of the insurance are not obtainable, but it is understood that there j is £BOOO on the hotel building and £350 on the furniture, mostly in the London and Lancashire.office. Jewellery belonging j to guests, valued at £3OOO, was in the hotel safe, and its fate Boss and - Glendining's premises were damaged mainly by water. The insurance on the building was £2BCO. in the South British office. Further investigation proves that the whole of Ross and Glendining's second ! storey was completely gutted; while the stock downstairs was soaked by water. Foster's Hotel was one of Wanganui'a landmarks. It was established in 1857, when it was known as the York Hotel. Later the name was changed to the Steam Packet Hotel, and eventually to Foster's, Tiie Foster family has owned it for 36 years. ANOTHER OUTBREAK. WANGANUI February 22. Another fire occurred at 2.45 this morn« ing, at Mr A. D. Willis's printing and bookselling establishment, the machine and composing room being gutted. The building is situated just at the rear of Foster's Hotel, and it is surmised that a spark from the hotel fire caused the outbreak. The insurances in%- connection with, the fire at Foster's Hotel are: —Building—£4sso in the London and Lancashire > £1360 In the Liverpool, London, ad Globej eiock and furniture —£220 in the London and Lancashire; £I7OO in the Phoenix: £l5O in th» Liverpool, London, and Globe [ £IOOO la the Union ;—gra»d total, £9950. Ross and Glendining's insurances are:—« On stook, £3OOO in the State Office and £IOOO in the New Zealand Office. Willis's insurances on the stock amount tc £3500, divided among 13 offices. . The printing plant is greatly damaged.