E. B. STOHR BURNED OUT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 5

E. B. STOHR BURNED OUT.

.OSS OF HOTEL AND OTHER PREMISES AT OPUNAKE.

At about 10 o’clock last night (relorts the News), a fire broke out at .he Opunake Hotel, generally known is Knowles’ Hotel, Mr E. B. Stohr being licensee. In a few minutes the building, a wooden one of two storeys, was ,burned to the ground. The hotel was totally destroyed, vith the stables and cottage adjoinng, which belonged to the hotel. Very ittle was saved. The fire started in he region of the kitchen, and rapidley pread. There is no-brigade in Opui.ake, and no water supply, so there vas no hope of checking the flames, t is reported that the Guardian Office lad a policy of £IBOO on the hotel milding. . Th fire quickly spread to Judson’s •oachbuilding factory, close aljoining, md to Aiken’s blacksmithing pre--nises, and these were speedily reduc'd to ashes, very little of the con,ents being reirtoved.

'Burton’s garage caught fire several imes,’ but. owing to the direction ol he wind—which, fortunately, was not ioo strong—the army of workers nanaged to save this building.

another account.

Per Press Association.

The Press Association sends the following report:—

Hawera, February 6

About ten o’clock on Friday night i disastrous fire broke out at the Jpunake hotel, resulting in the total destruction of the hotel," cottage, stables, Judson’s Coachbuilding Factory, and Aitken’s smithy. A Maori gave the alarm to the proprietor of the hotel, and the firebell was rung. Willing assistance was soon at hand, and a bucket brigade was formed. It was quickly seen that it was impossible to save the hotel block, and the volunteer brigade’s efforts were concentrated on saving th adjoining building. The heat of the fire broke the windows of the garage to the west of the fire area more than once, and the walls of that building caught fire. They were, however, extinguished and the garage saved. On the other side of the main street, buildings were for some considerable time in danger, but the efforts of many willing workers, were, however, successful in preventing the fire spreading. Fortunately there was only a slight breeze blowing, or the damage would have been greater. It is supposed that the cause was a defective chimney. Insurances available are Opunake Hotel £IBOO, in Guardian Office; Stables £3OO, in Xew Zealand office; Judson’s £IOO, Aitken’s £4O, both Royal company. The fire made a Big hole in the business area of the town.