BIG OIL BLAZE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10134, 11 June 1924, Page 8

BIG OIL BLAZE

THE IWVERGARGILL OUTBREAK.

(Per Press Association.) INVEROARGILL,. June 10. The fire which broke out in the Imperial Oil Company's building in Spey Street on Monday afternoon, completely destroying the stock and building, continued to bum all day. In the early morning a strong wind suddenly sprang up, and the flames, which still were leaping to a great height, threatened danger to the Vacuum Oil Company's store on the opposite side of the street, in which were stored over 4.0,000 cases of kerosene and 20,000 gallons of lubricating oil. One-third of the Vacuum Oil Company's premises is of brick and the remainder of corrugated iron. Danger to these premises, however, was lessened by the fact that the front portion of the store is used to house the stocks of lubricating oil, which is not nearly of such an inflammable nature as the motor spirits or kerosene. Nevertheless it was necessary for the brigade to keep strict watch on these premises, to which drifting sparks formed a constant source of danger. As the day advanced the fire abated in intensity, and the flames gradually subsided. All day long a dense column of smoke drifted over the town. It is probable that the fire will continue to burn for some time yet, but the danger which was threatened to nearby build-

mgs is past. On inquiry at the hospital it was ascertained that F., G. Smith, who was injured while endeavouring to check the fire in the early stages, is making satisfactory progress. - A married i man, Charles Taylor,

! about 60, was to-night proceeding m I the direction of the fire when he was j struck by a passing engine and truck, at Spey Street crossing, his injuries proving fatal before his arrival at the i hospital.