FIRES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8846, 24 June 1907, Page 2

FIRES.

m ■ ■ Man Burnt to Death. Per Press Association. IXYEBCABOILL, JuHO 22. Coaldey's Hotel, at Otautau, an old wooden building, was totally destroyed, with its contents, by fire at three o'clock this morning. The body of W. Carnahan, corn dealer, of lnvercargill, was found .in the debris. Juno 23. The Otautau Hotel, where a fatal firs occurred early on Saturday morning, was a wooden building and very old. So far" particulars arc somewhat nieagre; but It appears that the outbreak originated in ti back bedroom. Alarm wa£ promptly given, and the inniatos; comprising several visitors lodging for the night; made preparations for getting -info safety; So quickly did the flames spread that some had barely time to escape in their night clothes, carrying what attiro they could lay hold of in their arms. Ono man just escaped the flames by getting out of a window into the street. Tho occupant of the next apartment, Mr W. Carnahan, a corn dealer of lnvercargill, was not so fortunate, but when his absence was observed by those who had escaped it was too lato to succour him, the whole building being a mass of flames. At the time

a strong westerly-prevailed, and although strenuous efforts wore made to provent the spread of tho fire the adjoining premises, Woods' tailoring establishment* and ,tho National Bank caught and were also destroyed. The buildings opposite had a narrow escape. Only a few articlos belonging to the hotel wore saved. Mr Woods lost most of his stock. The National Bank offices contained only a little furniture. Several of the lodgers lost their belongings. The late Mr Carnahan, whose body was discovered among tho debris, was for many years groom for Dr Young of Invar* cargill, and latterly engaged in business as a corn-dealer. Ho had been attending horse sales during the week in Otautau district. It is understood that the hotel and contonts wore insured for .£750 in tho' Alliance oflice. Mr E. Achoson was owner of tho premises occupied by Mr Woods. _TnrA.HU, Juno 23. A fire was discovered at #.30 a.m. 10-day in the dressmakers workrooms' packing room and spare room of W. Penrose's drapery. These were gutted before the fire was got under. Some damage was done by water getting in the shop and running over the floor.