HOTEL ON FIRE.

Timaru Herald, Volume 170, Issue 170205, 30 April 1920, Page 5

HOTEL ON FIRE.

LVMATES' XARROYv EbCAPE. fer Press Association. AUvJE-USjNjL), April 29. 1 A disastrous hro occurred in the city about 2 o'ciouic this morning at the Aletiopolit<>n Hotel at, tne comur of Queen street and Durham Street x'o. tunately w <is> no !Ci hio, bat moie tn.in (jut, occupant "was more ui Je=a bciioiibij m.ined in escaping Ints hotel \\ t io almost, completely giuted m t-ie upxei s,.uic\ and gieat damage was clone below 'oy siuojse and water. The lire broke ouu in the third storey, and spread with greatrapidity. The occupants, including twenty boarders, were suddenly aroused from their sleep, and had to make, an immediate dash for safety down fire escapes and stairs. John Osborne; third cook, was among the last to learn of the fire. lie made a dash for one of the front windows, facing Queen Street. "With I flames all round him, he was appar-1 entry overcome by the heat, and liiar: clothes were burning. Os-barna collapsed on the fire escape and hung with bis feet caught in the ironwork, calling for help. His sufferings must- have been intense. A sigh of relief went up front the small crowd that had gathered when it was seen that Osborne* was able to catch the framework of the fire escape and pull himself up, and .then drop to the verandah below a distance of abont ten feet He-'was-immediately rescued and to Van to the "hospital hy Si, motor car, suffering from severe burns about the head, and arms. He was able to walk into: the ward, but latstilus condition became critical.