FIRES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5583, 5 June 1896, Page 3

FIRES.

[Per Press Association. I DUNEDIN, June 5. The residence of James Park, auctioneer, Roslyn, was burnt to the ground last night. The fire broke out in the servant's bedroom. The inmates barely escaped with their lives. Insurances on the house ,£6OO in the northern, and on the furniture .£503 in the South British .Office. AT SUMNER. Shortly before five o'clock this morning an alarm of fire was given at Sumner, the scene being Morton's Hotel. The brigade turned out very smartly, and as willing aid was given by a number of people, the flames were soon subdued. Some of the rooms were completely destroyed, and a considerable amount of damage was done by water. The fact that the walls between the studs were packed with sawdust had a ' very appreciable effect in retarding the ■ progress of the fire. The fire broke out in the storeroom just 1 off the kitchen, and soon obtained a good 1 hold of the building. The members of the Brigade worked splendidly, and, aided by ; a good supply of water, succeeded in confining the fire to three or four rooms. [ These rooms were completely gutted, and the whole of the new part of the ' hotel was damaged. AH the furniture .was saved, but was much damaged by removal and water. Mr Charles R. Morton, who owns and occupies the hotel, the members of the family and several boarders had. some difficulty , in, getting out of the hotel, owing to the rooms being full of smoke. The origin of the fire could not be ascertained, as no one was known to 1 be in the storeroom last night. . The hotel 1 is insured for .£IO3O in the Alliance Office, and the furniture for .£SOO in the 1 same office.