A waitress at the Farmers Arms raised the alarm about 2.40am and despite the best efforts of volunteers the damage was major.
The story is told:
“Miss Egan had a narrow escape, and was slightly burned as she made her escape through the flames immediately aroused the inmates of the building, together with those in the hotel proper, with no thought for the safety of her own belongings.
“The brigade made quick time to the scene, but unfortunately for some reason they were unable to obtain water for a few minutes, and fanned by a southerly breeze the flames gained complete control of the dining room and another detached brick building.”
The hotel wasn’t the only problem for the brigade:
“....At this stage Ihe alarm went up that the motor pump was on fire, which proved to be a fact, fumes from some escaping petrol becoming ignited.
“Pumping operations ceased immediately and a dozen hands were soon busily engaged throwing sand onto the flames, which luckily were subdued.
“The battle, however, was practically over, and it remained only for the firemen to extinguish the fire at the two demolished buildings.
“Very little was saved from the quarters destroyed.
“Mrs O’Donnell, the popular licensee, is due to vacate the premises next week, and had listed for sale the whole of the furnishings, which were to have been offered today.
“In consequence of the fire, the sale has been postponed until further notice.
“It Is not known how the fire originated.
“The damage is estimated at about £800.”
A later fire, in 1937 completely destroyed the hotel.
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