A FATAL FIRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 872, 22 November 1906, Page 21

A FATAL FIRE.

For the second time in a space of a few weeks, hotel property in Waitara has been totally destroyed by fire. Early last Sunday morning the second fire occurred, by which the Bridge Hotel was totally destroyed, and an old man named Thomas Maguire, a labourer, was burnt to death. The hotel porter, when engaged cleaning the fireplaces, about six o’clock, placed some live embers in a wooden rubbish bin, which shortly caught fire, and the flames quickly spread to the house. There was no water supply for fire purposes ; and the wind blowing the flames into the Hotel, the building was soon a mass of flames. A bucket brigade saved adjoining buildings. All of the inmates got clear of the buildings with some personal belongings, but Maguire returned upstairs to get something, and was overpowered. The building was owned by trustees for Mrs Fairweather. The licensee was Mr W. R. Wilson. The building was insured in the North Queensland Office for and the stock and furniture for in the same office. Mr Wilson’s personal effects are insured for in the Sun Office. Mr Wilson estimates his loss at over the insurance. The hotel stood on the corner opposite the Wai ara Hotel, which was destroyed by fire a few weeks ago.