Ozone Hotel

BIG FIRE AT KINGSCOTE.

OZONE HOTEL BURNT.

OCCUPANTS IN GREAT DANGER.

Kingscote, August 28, 1918.

Shortly after midnight the Ozone Hotel at Kingscote was completely gutted. The staff escaped after being in great danger and the boarders had close calls. Mrs. Bradley's baby was thrown from the window into a blanket. The fire is believed to have originated in the kitchen. The chimney caught fire on the previous day, but the flames were extinguished by the staff that day. All the occupants escaped with very little clothing. Practically everything in the building was destroyed, as the boarders, owing to the dense smoke, lost everything. Two ladies escaped in their night attire. The residents were unable to render much assistance. Fortunately the wind was from the south-west, and so Mr. Otim Singh's store and the surrounding structures were saved.

All petrol and other inflammable material were removed from the neighboring buildings as a measure of precaution. Great excitement prevailed during the fire. Water was carried in buckets from tanks, and the fact that there are no fire-fighting appliances in the town greatly handicapped the helpers. In a little while the flames had converted the stone building into a furnace. Only a few billiard balls and cues, two forms, and a couple of swing doors were saved.

Mr. Henry Crabb, jun., the manager, occupied a room upstairs, and when he awoke he discovered the passage was thick with smoke. He at once roused the other inmates. Assisted by Mr. E. Silversmith of Broken Hill, he secured a ladder and Mrs. H. Crabb, jun., Master Crabb, Mrs. Bradley, Miss Crabb, and Mr. H. Crabb, sen., who is 80 years of age, descended.

The Ozone Hotel was designed by Mr. C. E. W. Parsons, and was built eleven years ago by Messrs. Nelson and Winch. It has a frontage to the Esplanade of 150 ft., and to Commercial-street 65 ft. Spacious balconies extended for the whole length of the frontages, and these have been destroyed. The premises were of limestone, and there were 57 rooms.

Mr. James Carr, of Glenelg, purchased a half interest in the hotel last February, and his partner was Mr. F. H. Winch, whose death occurred a few days ago. Mr. Carr stated on Wednesday that he contemplated making additions to the premises to cater for next summer's trade. The house and furniture were covered for insurance in the Victoria Company to about their value, namely, £8,000, but that will not adequately compensate him for his loss. Originally the furniture cost £3,500 and the premises £8,000. The walls are quite solid, and Mr. Carr expects to rebuild. Mr. Carr received a telegram stating that two shops adjoining the hotel had been saved, and in one of these a temporary bar had been opened.

KANGAROO ISLAND'S LOSS. Mr. James Carr, who was part owner with the late Mr. F. H. Winch, of the Ozone Hotel, at Kingscote, which was destroyed by fire, has received many messages of sympathy from Kangaroo Island and also insistent requests to rebuild the palatial hostelry. One telegram in behalf of the residents of Kingscote urged that he should immediately visit the place to receive a deputation on the matter. 

Mr. H. Crabb, sen., and his daughter, who were at the hotel at the time of the fire, were interviewed by a reporter in Adelaide on Friday morning. They emphasized the statement in a letter by Mr. H. Crabb, jun. (manager of the Ozone), that the fire had cast a gloom over Kingscote, the residents of which had looked upon the hotel as "one of the great standbys in the way of advertising the island, and hope that it will be rebuilt." Mr. Crabb, sen., stated that on the morning of the fire he awoke about 1 o'clock, "with a horrible taste in his mouth." He opened, his bedroom door, and was greeted by an inrush, of black, suffocating smoke. He gave the alarm to arouse the other people in the place. He described how, as previously stated in The Register, the people escaped with their lives, and very little clothing, most of them in night attire. They all lost their 'wardrobes' and other material possessions. The 50-ft. ladder by which he, nearly 80 years of age, reached the ground from the balcony, seemed to be interminable. The flames quickly consumed the place. 

The bookings of guests for the coming season had been very large, and the success of the hotel, which had been satisfactory under the present ownership, had promised to go on improving. Kingscote was the front door to Kangaroo Island. It would be a calamity to the place if the hotel should not be rebuilt. The residents had been very kind to the people who lost everything in the fire. If the Ozone were not rebuilt, it had been alleged that the steamer service from the mainland to Kingscote would be reduced to one boat a week, and that a smaller vessel would he put on. Mr. Carr stated that he would not definitely decide about the rebuilding proposal until the estate of his partner had been wound up. 

Our Kingscote correspondent telegraphed on Friday:— An enquiry was held to-day into the Ozone Hotel fire, and the finding of the jury was that the premises were destroyed by fire on August 28, 1918, between the hours of 1 and 3 a.m., and that the origin of the outbreak was not known. The jury added a rider:— "The evidence shows that no blame is attachable to any person." The hotel safe, which was found intact, contained £61 9/9 in cash and cheques.

After the fire

Mr A. T. DuRieu, who has managed the Ozone Hotel since it was rebuilt, will relinquish that position at the end of this month. His successor is Mr Collins, of Adelaide. 

During the week Mr and Mrs Collins, the retiring manager and manageress of the Ozone Hotel, had it exemplified to them, in tokens and kindly wishes, that they had made many friends during their residence at Kingscote. One presentation in particular is worthy of record, this being the illuminated address which she staff of the hotel made. Undoubtedly, Mr and Mrs Collins will highly cherish this, as it is proof of their efficient management. Mr and Mrs Collins, and little daughter, (Merle), left for the mainland on Friday last, and many friends assembled on the jetty to get a last handshake.

Mr W. E. Rodgers, who has been Manager of the Ozone Hotel for the past 16 months has severed his connection with the Ozone Hotel Company. His successor is Mr J. Young.

We regret to hear that Mr and Mrs John Young are leaving the district. It is about seven years since Mr Young came to Kingscote as manager of the Ozone Hotel, and during their residence here, both Mr and Mrs Young have taken an interest in the various movements which have been for the general welfare of the town. Mr Young has taken a deep interest in the local school and has served for several years as secretary of the School Committee. He has also been a good worker in the Progress Association and he will be very missed by that small body of workers, for there are so few townsmen who take any real interest in the progress or improvement of the town. In sport Mr Young has been a vary useful member of the town tennis club. Both Mr and Mrs Young will be missed, particularly in the social life of the town. They are leaving for the mainland Monday week. A farewell will be tendered to Mr and Mrs Young in the District Hall next Saturday evening.

Mr L B. Glasson, who has taken over the lease of the Ozone Hotel, accompanied by Mrs Glasson, arrived by the s.s.. Warrawee on Saturday and took over the Hotel on Monday. Mr Glasson has had previous experience in hotel management while residing N.S.W. He is an old Knight of the Road, having travelled throughout this State for about twenty years and is well known in all the big country towns. Both Mr and Mrs Glasson hope to be able to take an active part in all movements which are for the welfare of the town and district. They are looking forward to meeting the residents and receiving a share of their patronage. We wish them success and hope that they will spend many happy years at Kingscote. 

Mr and Mrs T. G. Moran, accompanied by their daughters Misses Irene, Colleen and Kathleen and little son John arrived by the s.s. Karatta on Wednesday. Mr Moran has taken over the Ozone Hotel from Mr J. A. Morphett. Mr and Mrs Moran and family, during their stay here hope to assist in local and War efforts. Mr and Mrs Morphett and Keith left on Thursday for the mainland. They intend to reside in Kingswood.