Thrilling scenes were witnessed at the disastrous fire which practically
wholly consumed the Castlemaine Hotel early yesterday morning 26 April
The outbreak occurred at about 2.30 o'clock, but owing to the shortness of
time available and the impossibility of gleaning particulars only a brief
intimation of the unfortunate occurrence could be published in yesterday's "Mail."
The origin of the fire is shrouded in mystery.
Mr H. P. Tensen, the landlord, closed the doors as usual at 11.30 o'clock,
and when he retired to his bedroom, situated above the commercial room, with
his wife and child soon after mid- night everything was apparently safe.
Mr Tensen was awakened by the crackling sounds of burning timber, and he
hurriedly left his bed. Immediately he opened the door, however, a volume
of flame rushed up the stairway and dense smoke poured into the room.
Mr. Tensen, with great presence of mind, hastily fastened the door, and
then awakened his wife and six- year-old child, who were still sleeping.
The three made a hurried exit through another door and reached the narrow
balcony, with the flames closing in on them from every side.
Here they were compelled to remain until rescued from their perilous
position by Mr Thomas Howell, Mr W. Beattie and several others,
who promptly arrived upon the scene of the conflagration.
The flames spread with remarkable rapidity over the wooden portion of the
building at the rear.
Everything seemed quiet as usual, but a minute later a high tongue of flame
appeared through the roof of the hotel, and brightly lighted the adjacent
neighborhood.
This was noticed by the members of the night staff of the "Mail," as they
were leaving the office. They ran towards the burning building, and arrived
there soon after Constable O'Mullane, who had already set about the rescue
of the occupants. Mrs Tensen, who was on the balcony, was screaming
excitedly, as was also the child.
Several sheets were smartly tied together, and both mother and child were
lowered over the balcony to those below. Then Mr Tensen and his brother-in-law
(Mr Thomas Howell) who also occupied a room upstairs, slid down the
improvised rope to the ground. Nor did they leave a moment too soon, because
the flames were already rushing through the windows and spreading across the balcony.
The rescue was a thrilling incident, because it was feared that Mrs Tensen
might lose self-control and leap from the balcony. She was in a highly nervous
condition, screaming excitedly, and it was only with the greatest difficulty
that her husband prevented her from taking such a dangerous step.
When it was seen that the occupants were all safe, a couple of the rescue party,
under instructions from Constable O'Mullane, set off to the fire station, but
when they reached there the bell was already being tolled loudly.
Very few minutes elapsed before the hose-reel was brought to the spot, and, with
praiseworthy promptitude, six streams of water were brought into play upon the
burning building. The flames, however, had by this time gained a great hold on
the building, and it seemed unlikely that they could possibly be got under
control before the structure was levelled with the ground.
The large collection of firemen, under Captain Woolnough, effected invaluable work,
although it was found utterly impossible to save much of the furniture.
After several hours of hard fighting the flames were subdued, but practically
only the shell of the large building remains.
Firemen, police and civilians did all they could in attempting to save
property, but the burning building was like a huge furnace, and their
combined efforts proved almost fruitless.
The building — which is an old landmark—contained about 25 rooms,
the front portion being brick, while the rear was built of wood.
The owner is Mr Joseph Young, of Harcourt. The hotel was insured
for £8oo in the Commercial Union office (Mr G. Chaster agent), being made
up of £700 on the main building, and £100 on the stables and sheds. So badly
has it suffered that, at present, it appears doubtful if the portion standing
will be of any further use. The occupier, Mr H. P. Tensen, has lost practically
the whole of his worldly possessions.
After coming here from Tasmania, he managed the hostelry for some time, and
about four months ago he took over the business himself. He is a young man,
and was endeavouring to make a livelihood for himself and familv. He has two children,
but one is at present away from home. Yesterday morning it was most disheartening
for him to gaze upon the ashes of his enterprise. Only a few chairs and some
bedding were saved. The billiard table, which had recently been renovated,
and a piano were among the contents of the place.
Mr Tensen estimates his loss at £600. He expressed gratitude at the treatment
accorded to his wife, child, and himself, by several neighbors, in his trouble.
"And the firemen and civilians did excellent work," he said.
Stock, to the value of about £40, was carried, and a quantity of this was recovered from
the flames. The furniture, stock-in-trade, etc., were covered by a policy in the
Guardian Office (Messrs T. Odgers and Co., agents), for £300.
The clanging of the firebell, and the fact that the flames lighted up the whole town,
attracted a large crowd of people to the scene, and many remained there until the fire
had almost died out.
It is thought that the fire must have originated in the private parlor, which was built
of wood, and provided the entrance from Lyttleton street. However, nothing definite
can be urged as to where the fire started. Yesterday morning, the building was still
smouldering and the firemen in charge found it necessary to again put on the water.
During yesterday a large number of people visited the scene of devastation.
Mrs Tensen, when questioned yesterday, said that she did not remember much about the
occurrence. When awakened, she was greatly alarmed to notice flames beneath the bedroom
door. Her only thought was for the safety of her child. She took him in her arms, and
rushed on to the balcony. "I wanted to get Neil down safely," she said, "then I would
have jumped to the ground myself. I scarcely knew what I was doing, the sight of the
flames terrified me. I do not remember being lowered to the ground at all."
Mrs Tensen is suffering greatly from shock.

In the year 1854 a license was issued by the Castlemaine Court to Lawrence Murphy,
to retail fermented and spiritous liquors, in premises recently erected at the
corner of Hargraves and Lyttleton streets, and known as the Castlemaine Hotel.
It became better known as Murphy's Hotel, and it has a history equaled by few
country hotels, and at the present day is known by persons, high and low, in
every part of the Commonwealth. It was Castlemaine's leading and most popular
house for very many years, and its roof has covered men with a world-wide reputation.
H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh put up there during his visit here, Governors have made
it their stopping place, Judges, including Barry, Redmond, Higinbotham, and Madden
made it their headquarters when in this district, Robert O'Hara Burke, Vincent Pyke,
Nicholas Fitzgerald, J. B. Patterson, Duncan Gillies, John O'Shanassy, and other men
famous in Victorian political history, have spent many an hour there; while
distinguished tourists, and financial and commercial magnates, and literary celebrities
by the score have put up at Murphy's. In the early days, the gatherings of citizens for
convivial evenings are matters of history. Travel in any part of the Commonwealth,
and mention Castlemaine, and invariably the question is asked, "Is Murphy's Hotel there yet ?"
For over 50 years the license was held by the Murphy family, first by Mr Murphy, then
at his death, by Mrs Murphy, and in later years by their son, Mr L. B. Murphy, who a
few years ago retired altogether from the business. Since the license was first granted,
until the present day not a single conviction has been recorded against the licensee for
a breach of the Licensing Act, which speaks eloquently for the management. The license
was one of the first half-dozen granted in Castlemaine, and was issued about a month or
so later than that of the Criterion Hotel, which is the oldest licensed house in the district.
Almost since Castlemaine came into existence, the Castlemaine Hotel had been a prominent
landmark, and although its former glory has gone, it is to be hoped it will be capable of
repair, and once more provide accommodation for the travelling public.

SOURCE:
Mount Alexander Mail (Victoria)
Saturday 27 April 1912
Page 2
transcription, janilye, 2020
Births, deaths and Marriages, Victoria
Corrections and Comment: H.P.Tensen should read N.P. Tenson.
Usually known as Peter Tenson
He was Niel Peter TENSON, he died at his home at 235 Booran-road, South Caulfield, Victoria on the 28 January 1951. aged 76. Buried the following day at the New Cheltenham Cemetery in Holloway-road.
His wife was Sarah Drucilla, nee HOWELL, she died at South Caulfield, Victoria in 1969. aged 89
They had 2 children; 1. Uleen Winifred, b:1903, Christchurch, New Zealand, married 1. Charles Clifford CREIGHTON in 1933 and 2. Clarence Herbert ARCHER in 1946. She died in 1973, Noble Park, Victoria.
2. Neil Edward Phillip b: 1907, Tullah, Tasmania d: 26 February 1988 at Oak Park, Victoria He married Dory Dingle BOYCE in 1944