Two Dead, As Result Of Blaze At Napier.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18144, 2 May 1927, Page 1

Two Dead, As Result Of Blaze At Napier.

FELL FROM STAIRWAY AND LANDED INTO FLAMES RELOW. Per Press Association. NAPIER, May 2. Two men lost their lives and a woman was injured byjumping from the first floor in a fire this morning when a 21-roomed boarding-house in Shakespeare Road was destroyed. Their names are:— JOHN WEBBER, aged 59, single, waterside worker; dead. WILLIAM ROBINSON, aged 30, single; dead. ANNIE SPIERS, aged 20, single; injured.

When the fire started about 4.30 the morning was calm. Soon the whole building was a mass of flames. Both the Napier and Port Ahuriri Fire Brigades attended and good work was done to prevent the flames spreading. A shop on one side escaped with damage by smoke and water. A residence on the other side was burnt on one side. All the furniture in the boardinghouse was destroyed. The building was only a few years old but it burned with remarkable rapidity. Other inmates escaped in their night attire. The building was almost totally demolished a few years ago. The water pressure was quite inadequate to deal with the outbreak, due to the early cutting off of telephonic communication to the waterworks, thus preventing the high pressure supply being brought into use. The arrival of the Napier Brigade with the Dennis pump immediately made available a splendid pressure, and this accounted for the outbreak being confined to the original building. Telephone wires were melted and

the system was disorganised. Apart from the adjoining premises the other buildings were not in close proximity, but the absence of water at one time suggested that the outbreak must extend. The bodies of the two victims were recovered after a diligent search. 11 appears that Webber, who slept in the front of the building, rushed to the rear, where the fire started, and fell off the stair, landing into the flames below. IT is remains consisted of a few bones only. Robinson apparently was suffocated in his sleep. Miss Spiers jumped through a broken window on the first floor to the pavement. Her injuries are not serious. Conflicting stories are told concerning the steps taken to warn inmates, who numbered fifteen, all of whom lost everything. One lodger lost £SO sterling, and another £4O. The property was occupied by Mr and Mrs R. Bruce, and was owned by Mr J. P. Smith. It was insured in the Atlas Office for £IOOO, and the furniture was insured in the same office for £BSO.