BIG BLAZE IN WANGANUI.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11469, 22 February 1918, Page 4

BIG BLAZE IN WANGANUI.

FOSTER S HOTEL DESTROYED. VISITORS LOSE ALL THEIR EFFECTS. Per Press Association. Wanganui, Feb. 21. At an early hour this evening Foster’s Hotel, a large three storied wooden building on Taupo Quay, was totally destroyed by lire. The outbreak evidontly~started in an upstairs bedroom and spread with great rapidity. When the town brigade arrived the building was a mass of flames. Assistance also came from the suburban brigades, and for over an hour a combined effort bad to be made to prevent tb.e lire from spreading into the adjoining business area. At one stage s boardinghouse “on the opposite side of Taupo Quay caught alight.

The lire spread into Ross and Glcmlhuiing’s warehouse, adjoining Foster’s Hotel, and was not checked before considerable damage was done.

Foster’s Hotel was crowded with vistiors to the races, who Lave lost their effects. Details of the insurances are not obtainable, but it is understood there is £BOOO on the hotel building and £:<r>oo on the fmrniture. mostly in the London and Lancashire office.

Jewellery belonging to guests valued at £3OOO, was in the note! safe, and its fate is unknown. Ross and Glondinning’s premises were mainly damaged )>y water. The insurance, on the building is £2BOO in the South British office. Later. Further investigation proves that the whole of Ross and Glendiuning’s second storey was completely gutted by to-night's fire, while the stock downstairs was soaked with water. Foster’s Hotel was one of Wanganui’s landmarks. Known as the York Hotel, it was established - in 1857. The name was later changed to the Steam Packet Hotel, and eventually to Foster’s Hotel. The Foster family have owned it for :T> years. ANOTHER OUTBHEAR. Shortly before •"> o'clock this morniilg the fire broke out again, and burned strongly. The printing department of A. D. Willis and Co. was badly damaged, and jjfor a time there seemed of the Avenue block, from Willis’ to the Quay, being burned.