Queanbeyan Observer in Queanbeyan, New South Wales

Fatal hotel blaze in New York town kills twelve

A fire at Yard House, a large New York hotel, caused twelve deaths and numerous injuries. Guests on upper floors faced dense smoke and frantic escapes via windows and stairways. Several leapt to street level or balconies, two women reportedly failed to reach safety, and furniture and personal effects burned as cold weather intensified suffering. Losses are estimated at a lakhigi sum with most insured value unattainable.