FIRES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2527, 14 June 1909, Page 5

FIRES.

CAFE CONTINENTAL AT SUAINER DESTROYTD.

[Per Press Association.]

CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. v Between 3 and 4 o’clock this morning the Cafe Continental, a large brick, three-storied private hotel on the beach at Sumner, was destroyed by fire, which started in the top storey, which was practically unocccupied. The whole of the interior of the building was burned out, and the steel girders buckled as tlio result of the intense heat. The occupants managed to escape, many only lightly clad, but lost all their belongings. The origin of the fire is unknown. Two houses adjoining, one occupied,by Air. Henry Cotterill, and the other by Air. Phillips, had the roofs damaged to a considerable extent from bricks falling from the building, and the occupants had a narrow escape from injuries. /The City Brigade was telephoned for, but did not turn out, and the local brigade had to do the. best they could ivith tlio appliances at their command. They had a higli-pressure water supply to draw on, but the blaze was too great for them to make much impression on it. Only three walls of the building are. left, llie insurances, so far as can be ascertained, are: The building, which it- is stated cost £II,OOO, is insured in the Victoria Gompanv for £4OOO ;contcnts for £IOOO or £I2OO, but office uuasccrtainable. Air, Cotter ill’s house is insured in the Phoenix Office, but for what amount is uuasccrtainable. Tlvo cafe was the property of Mr. Ridley.

L CHRISTCHURCH BOARDINGHOUSE BURNED.

A boarding-house, at the corner of Alontreal and Tuam Streets, m tho city, was practically destroyed by lire on Saturday night- It .was owned by Mr. Thomas "Wallace, and occupied by Air. Samuel Smith. The building was insured in tho Liverpool London and Globe Office for £350, and the furniture in the Royal Office for £l5O. flho origin of the fire is unknown. V