£30,000 LOSS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16112, 28 April 1923, Page 5

£30,000 LOSS.

THE BIG FIRE AT WAIROA, WAIROA, yesterday. At three o’clock this morning what proved to be one of tho most serious fires ever experienced in Wairoa was discovered in the Wairoa Hotel, opposite the town wharf (wired the Telegraph reporter). Before the fire burned itself out, for thero was no tiro fighting appliances, damage to the extent of nearly £30,000 was done.

The buildings destroyed include: — 1 The Wairoa Hotel, valued at £IO,OOO. Everybody’s Theatre, valued at £15,000.

Martin’s shop and dwelling, valued at £ISOO, and Howell’s shop and dwelling, valued at £2OOO. QUICKLY CONSUMED. The hotel, in which the fire started in a storeroom, was one of 40 rooms. It was built over thirty years ago and was a commodious building and the centre of the commercial operations of tho town and district.

The flames spread with such alarming rapidity that the building was soon doomed.

There were about 20 persons resident in the hotel in addition to tho staff of eight, and most of these had difficulty jn making their escapes. Mrs Ranum, wife of the licensee, made the discovery that tho building was on firo and she at once set about tho'dangerous task of calling the staff and boarders and to her bravery was due the fact that all tho inmates made good their escape, although some were slightly burned in getting clear of the building, which was soon totally consumed, together with all the furniture.

In her efforts to awaken tho boarders to their danger Mrs Ranum neglected to save some very valuable jewellery, which was destroyed, and she suffered slight burns. The heat from tho burning hotel was intense. A bucket brigade of about 100 persons was quickly formed, but they could do but little to check the spread of the flames, which were watched by all tho Wairoa pepole, who had been alarmed. THE, FIRE) SPREADS.

Tho heat of the flames set firo to the adjoining property, and soon the- shop and dwelling of Mr. Martin, Everybody’s Theatre and Hr. Howell’s shop grid dwelling were all in the grip oi tho fire and were doomed to destruction, as practically nothing could be dono to save them. At the time of the fire is was raining slightly, but this fact did not deter tho whole of the residents turning out. DIFFICULTY IN MAKING 1 ESCAPE. Many of the inmates of the hotel had difficulty in making their escape. Mrs. Hook, one of tho guests, fell off one of the fire escapes and broke an ankle. Tho lady was also slightly burned. Many of the guests barely had time to escape in their night attire, and lost everything. These unfortunate people, however, were eared for by the residents, and warm clothing was also provided for them. Tho damage is estimated to be in the neighborhood of £30,000, but the insurances are not yet available. The hotel was owned by Mr. Gffian, of Gisborne, and Mr O. Ranum was the licensee. SERVANTS RESCUED WITH DIFFICULTY. The fire started between the servants’ quarters and the portion of the hotel reserved” for the guests. This caused the servants to be cut off from the only fire escape serving that part of the building. Tho women folk stood in grave danger and their screams soon attracted the attention of the boarders who had just been awakened. These including Mr. R. E. Brown, of Napier, went* to the assistance of the servants, ‘ and all were subsequently lowered to the ground without any serious injury being suffered, although the women sustained severe nervous shocks. Had it not been for the prompt assistance given by Mr. Brown and his companions, , there would probably have been a more serious, if not fatal* ending to the fire.

Fortunately what little wind there was came from„the south west, .and blew the flames away from the town. In spite of this fact three buildings on that side were destroyed. Had the wind been blowing the opposite way nothing could have saved, the whole town from destruction.

Messrs. Richardson and Co.’s new offices in brick, on the eastern side, wero badly damaged. The rafters .in tho roof were burned through and the walls were buckled by the heat. Fortunately a member of \, Richardson’s staff was resident pn the premises and it was owing, to his prompt and suefess/ful work that, the building was notdestroyed. Tt is stated that tho townspeople are now determined that Wairoa shall not longer continue without efficient- firefighting appliances.