HAMILTON FIRE

Southland Times, Issue 19482, 4 April 1922, Page 5

HAMILTON FIRE

TWO LIVES LOST BOARDER’S HEROISM SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES AFTER HELPING OTHERS. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 3. The fire which broke out in the Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, at 4 o’clock this morning practically destroyed the hotel and resulted in loss of life. Qne body at present unidentified was recovered from the ruine, while Mr Horace Moore Jonas, the well-known Auckland artist, died subsequently in the hospital from burns. Mr Rory O’Moore, a commercial traveller, representing Chemi cals Ltd., of Auckland, and one of the stuff, Nellie Wood, who were in the building cannot be found.

The hotel was a wooden one containing 30 bedrooms and was owned by Messrs D. L. Nathan and Coinpany Ltd. Mr R. McKenzie, the licensee, lives in a cottage at the rear of the hotel. At thr tune of the outbreak there were 25 boarder?, including five ladies. The hotel staff occupied the rear of the premises. The origin of the fire is a mystery' but it apparently started in the Kitchen at the rear of the building. The night porter, Mr J. Masterson, was coming irojn upstairs when he saw the glare of the fire. He rushed to the telephone to summon the brigade but changed his mind and decided to rouse the inmates. With commendable pluck he rushed from room to room calling out to the occupants, and in some instances pulling them out of bed. By this time practically the whole building was on fire, the flames soaring up to a tremendous height, while the heat was intense. The boardere who had been aroused, in most cases found it impossible to escape by the stairs and hail to use the fire etcape. Some were clad in night attire only while others had been able to snatch some scanty clothing before making their hurried departure. The licensee, Mr McKenzie, was aroused by an employee and made his way to the office. He was unable to secure the valuables and money from the safe. The greatest heriosm was shown by Mr Moore Jones. He made his way to safety on the verandah and then, although clad only in pyjamas and a light coat, he rushed back again and was seen guiding the ladies to the fire escape. This accomplished he managed to reach the verandah of the adjoining premises where he remained apparently dazed. Constable Roxburgh called to him to come down the fire escape, but he remained where he was, and the constable had to go up and place a rope under his arms and assist him to descend the escape. His clothing was hanging in shreds, while his head, hands and body were badly burned. He was taken to the hospital where death occurred early this afternoon. Mr J. A. Ross, an Australian traveller, was in a room above the kitchen. He heard the crashing of glass, and had just time to seize a few belongings when the flames came through his window. Finding the stairs ablaze he rushed to beneath the front balcony. Here he stood directing the women not to jump but to use the fire escape. He saw Mr Moore Jones there assisting the boarders, and later saw him go inside the blazing building. After a time Mr Moore Jones reappeared at the other end of the building and got on to the verandah. Mr Ross said he could not speak highly enough of Mr Moore Jones, and that his gallantry was responsible for many being saved. By dint of strenuous exertions after over an hour's work the Fire Brigade was successful in stopping the fire from spreading to the north end of the hotel, and members of the brigade were able to gain an entrance to the upper floor. It was then that the charred body of a man was found in the passage way. The features were quite unrecognisable, and only fragments of clothing remained on the body. Fortunately very little wind was blowing or the premises adjoining and facing the hotel would certainly have been destroyed. As it was shops facing the hotel were scorched and water had to be played upon them. The brigade finally got the outbreak under control a little after 6 a.m. The only f»rtions of the hotel then standing were the staff’s quarters, which were detached from the main building, two store rooms and the laundry. When the fire was at its height the hot water system exploded with a deafening roar which was heard a considerable distance away, and pieces of iron piping were hurled into the air. One large piece fel) through the roof of an office opposite. The sparks set fire to a tank cover at the rear of the Savoy Tearooms and also to some towels at the back of the Oceanic Restaurant, but those incipient outbreaks were quelled without the aid of the fire brigade. Telephone and telegraphic udres werd burned, over 160 subscribers being affected. Prompt work by the Telegraph Department restored the service by midday. The hotel contained an exceptionally large stock, one cellar alone having in it liquor valued at over £l6OO. A number of boardere lost considerable personal effects and money. In one case a honeymoon couple's loss ran into £lOO, while other monetary losses of £3O and £25 are reported. Owing to the hotel books being burnt and the dispersal of the guests it was difficult to ascertain who was saved, but it is considered certain that the charred remains are thos of Mr O’Moore. He had intended to go to Te Aroha to-day, but no word of him was received there. Miss Nellie Wood, who cannot be accounted for, was employed as a housemaid, and is 32 years of age and a native of Ayrshire. She had no relatives living. Previously she worked in the Grand Hotel, Auckland, and had been employed in Hamilton for about a month. Her%nly friend in Hamilton expressed the opinion that if she had escaped she would have gone to him immediately. The insurances are as follows : Building and fittings £9600, stock and furniture £4360, divided between the United and Commercial Insurance Companies.