FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue XXII, 21 November 1867, Page 4

FIRE AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

THE MARSLAND HOTEL TOTALLY DESTROYED. We have been kindly favored with the following telegram by the Colonial Secretary: — Nelson, Nov. 20, 2.40 p.m. On Wednesday night, the Marsland Hotel in Vivian street, in the occupation of Mr Middleton, was completely destroyed by firo, Messrs Middleton and Ivey, a lodger, and Uncles, the barman, went to bed at about eleven o'clock. Middleton and Ivey slept at the north-east end of the building, and Uncles at the opposite end. Uncles had not been in his room more than a quarter of an hour when, hearing a noise, he opened his door, and found the passage in flames. He, describes the fire as rushing out of the doors of three rooms at once, all of which opened near his, and were unoccupied. His words to us were " that he could have supposed that somebody had been and fired each room separately." He also states that the candle used by him was spermaceti, and would not therefore shed snuff. That he was not aware of any matches being in either of the three rooms. Unclea, after throwing his bag out of the window, made his way down the passage and called Mr Middleton, who at once called the lodgers. , On Middletou returning to his room he was unable to enter it, nor could ho return by the stairs, but had to get over tho bannisters and leap to the bottom step. Mr Pearn, a neighbor, informs us that when he first saw the firo the glare was en 'tiroly upstairs, and that the rooms on the ground iloor were dark. This is confirmed by other persons. The fire appeared from the outside to be in the room over the bar parlour. The flames spread very rapidly, and by 12 o'clock had posseßsion of the whole buiding. [ The wind at the time was from the Soutk. Messrs Humphreys und Silcock's premises, and the Infant .School were at one time in considerable danger. Sparks flew to such a distance, that a shingle on the roof of Mr Dares' house, at a distance of 200 yards, was ignited, but by the timely exertions of the

inmates, assisted by Mr Webster, was happily extinguished. By two o'clock all danger of fire spreading was at an end, and nothing remained of the hotel but a heap of ashes. A considerable amount of furniture was saved. None of the inmates appear able to give any account or even conjecture as to the origin of the fire, and Mr Middleton is not aware that any one was in either of the three rooms which Uncles says he satv the flames issuing from. In neither of these rooms were there any fireplaces. Dr O'G'onnell, who wa9 lodging ofc the Marsland, was obliged to leap from his bedroom window, leaving his gold watch and other property behind. The furniture and stock were insured for £700 in the New Zealand Insurance Company ; the building, which is the property of Dr Humphreys, in the London and Liverpool Company for £500. The above extracts are taken from the Tctrcmaki Herald of the 16th.