Historic pub razed

The historic Waiapu Hotel at Tikitiki, near Ruatoria, on the East Coast, burned to the ground yesterday.

"It's totally gone - 100 per cent," said Tikitiki volunteer fire brigade spokesman John Reedy.

The hotel, more than 100 years old, was originally the Rose Tavern at Port Awanui. It was moved to Tikitiki in the late 1930s.

Mr Reedy said two Tikitiki fire engines were joined by Ruatoria firefighters, but the fire raged out of control when it spread to the top storey of the hotel.