FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6017, 27 August 1887, Page 3

FIRES.

[Pan Fbbbs Association.]

Hotel Burned Down.

Loss of Life.

ll BLENHEIM, AX7GTTBT 27. A fire, attended with fatal consequences, occurred at 1.30 this morning, the South Star Hotel being burned to the ground. The fire when discovered had a good hold of the building, and the brigade, with their steam engine, could do nothing but extinguish the burning embers. The origin of the fire is a mystery. All was right when the landlord retired about midnight, and the lights were out at that hour. He slept on the ground floor, and was awakened by a lodger at 1.30. He made an effort to get upstairs to rouse the inmates, but the heat and smoke prevented him getting further than the landing. There were a good number of boarders in the house, and those sleeping upstairs had great difficulty in getting out. No fire escapes were provided, and tUe bedclothes were brought into requisition as a means of escape. Eichard Winter, editor of the Marlborough Times, who Jumped out of an upstairs window, sustained a compound fracture of the leg, and was much singed and bruised. Another lodger, named David Henderson, an elderly man, lost his life. The remains of his body were found at daylight, and conveyed to the morgue. Very little was saved. Insurances : On building, ,£650, in the Equitable, re-insured for JE3OO in the Standard; on furniture, .£loo, in the South British ; and on stock, .£SO in the same office.

An inquest will be hold this afternoon on the remains of David Henderson, who was burnt this morning by the fire at the South Star Motel. There have been reports of one or two others missing, but a most diligent search has revealed nothing further.

AUCKLAND, August 27.

A cottage at Northeote, owned by Mrs Day, a widow, has been destroyed by fire. Tho building is insured for i£2oo. The furniture, uninsured, worth £GO, was destroyed.

WELLINGTON, August 27,

The Opera House Again.

The Opera House had another escape this morning. One of the ahops in front of the building was discovered to be on fire, which was extinguished before much damage had been done. The stock was injured to the extent of a few pounds, but there is no insurance. Narrow Escape of a Family. A ten-roomed dwelling, situated in Horokiwi valley, owned and occupied by Richard Smith and family, was destroyed by fire at 1 o'clock this morning. The origin is unknown, but it is believed to have occurred in the kitchen. The occupants barely escaped with their lives, and nothing whatever was saved. Insurance on house and furniture £500 in the Equitable.