SERIOUS FIRE IN AUCKLAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 132, 16 March 1948, Page 2

SERIOUS FIRE IN AUCKLAND

Outbreak in Factory

DAMAGE SET AT £IOO,OOO (P.A.) AUCKLAND. March 15. Thousands of pounds’ worth of damage was done by a fire which swept swiftly through the confectionery factory of Heards, Ltd., Parnell Road, early this, evening. About one-third of the factory, much stock, and valuable machimery were destroyed but in a remarkable save the fire brigades kept the fire out of the rest of the threatened building and away from at least six old houses directly in its path. No detailed estimate of the damage had been made to-night, nor was the cause of the fire known. A preliminary survey suggested that the damage would be about £IOO,OOO. The factory is L-shaped, and the fire began on the ground floor near the junction of the wings, one of which is of four storeys and the other of two. It appeared trifling at first, but gained a great hold within a few minutes. It caught the inflammable contents and wooden floors, and was soon raging through the roof. Within half an hour of the alarm at 5.31 p.m., the thousands who had gathered saw that the flames had spread from the bottom to the roof at the back of the bigger building, had eaten their way half-way along the two-storeyed portion, which has an entrance in Windsor Street, and were shooting through broken windows.

Firemen Injured Two firemen, both belonging to the central lire station, were taken to the Auckland Hospital for treatment. They were George Dickson, aged 34, who had his left wrist severely cut, and Louis McNamara, aged 24, whose back was cut by glass. Both Avere discharged later. Other firemen suffered from minor cuts, burns, and the effects of smoke, but none was seriously hurt. A number of civilians were cut by flying glass, but went home after being treated by St. John Ambulance officer^.

In the early stages the fire appeared to be small, but even before the last of the fire trucks had arrived it had spread with amazing speed. Smoke spiralled up in great billows, and the crowd drew back as flames swept through the windows and glass fell in tinkling showers.

All | but one of the 200 employees had left, the building when the fwe began. It was discovered by the engineer on duty, who called the brigade. The serious nature of the lire was immediately realised, and after a district call eight fire engines, as well as the STL't mobile extension ladder and salvage vans, manned by 45 firemen, converged on the factory from city and suburban stations. The firemen first attacked the fire that was spreading fast througn the two-storeyed building. Sheets of fire swept through the main factory roof, roaring and crackling as they fed on the inflammable contents. The air was filled with a sickly smell of burning sugar, nuts, dates, coconut, and other ingredients. Metal Frames Blown Out The flames when they shot out of the windows carried the metal frames with them. Through the gaping roof tongues of flame leaped 50 feet. Soon the whole four storeys at the back were ablaze. The extension ladder was driven into Ruskin Street, and as soon as it had been extended until its top was level with the burning roof three firemen mounted it and turned jets of water into the heart of the flames through third-floor windows. Others entered from the front and side of the building and had other leads operating.

The brigade’s task seemed hopeless to the onlookers. So rapidly had the fire spread and so fiercely was it burning that it appeared useless to fight it with any hope of success. Metal window-frames were buckling under the heat and what glass and not been broken was melting. The heat was unbearable within yards of the build- 1 ing. Burning particles of packing came in showers from the factory. Nearby residents lost no time in safeguarding their belongings. Danger was greatest in a Ruskin Street lodg-ing-house next to the factory, and its nearest wall was charred. It was quickly emptied. The manageress (Mrs May Clarke) is out of Auckland and some of the other tenants were not at home, but the rest, as-sistec! by neighbours and strangers, quickly carried out most of the contents. A complete clearance was made in two neighbouring houses occupied by Mr and Mrs J. Jenkins and family and Miami Mrs A. Holland and their live children.

Some helpers threw drawers oi clothes and belongings from upstairs windows and others assisting on the ground floor found themselves showered with these articles. Windows were broken to allow furniture to De pushed out. The fire was under control before S o’clock, but the wreckage smouldered all night and firemen were kept on duty continuously.