LUNA PARK BLAZE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1927, Page 12

LUNA PARK BLAZE.

PORTION COMPLETELY

DESTROYED.

DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £10,000. '•FIN FACTORY" AND RAILWAY SUFFER. A spectacular blaze that left £10,000 worth of damage iu its wake occurred at Luna Park shortly after 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when the buildings at the northern end of the amusement area nearest the waterfront were completely destroyed. Of light material, the structure burned freely, and although the City Fire Brigade made a prompt turn-out it was found impossible to save the buildings.

The damage is estimated by the management to be in the vicinity of £10,000. The outbreak is thought to have commenced in the tea rooms, but its cause is a mystery. All electric current had been switched off some time prior to the fire.

The blaze destroyed the tea rooms and cabaret, the offices of the secretary and his staff, a photographer's studio beneath, and the "fun factory." as well as the rear portion of the scenic railway. The First Signs. The outbreaJc was as sudden as it was disastrous. The public had been dispersed from the afternoon session, and the secretary and manager, Mr. B. \V. Beaumont, with Messrs. Blackwood and Gilmore, were in the office making a tally of the afternoon's receipts. There was a sudden muffled explosion, but, owing to the presence of the Renown in the harbour, it was thought a gun had been fired to signify the arrival on board of the Duke of "York. A few minutes later Mr. Gilmore opened the door and the three men saw that the building was filled with smoke. A hurried investigation satisfied them that a fire was raging in the tea rooms, from which was pouring forth smoke and flames. An attempt was made by Mr. Gilmore to get the money and papers in the office, but the flames drove him back. In the meantime the fire brigade was summoned while a lead of hose in the grounds was brought into play. A Strenuous Battle.

Two engines from the Citv station and one from Parnell were quieklv on the scene, but Superintendent Wilson realised the futility of effecting a save of the burning structure, and set his men the task of saving the remainder of the buildings. Five leads were quickly in commission, and so commenced a strenuous battle with a raging inferno. The flames ate through the flimsv structure at a rapid pace, and within ten minutes the centre of the building collapsed with a resounding crash. ° The heat of the fire was terrific, and the thousands of people who had gathered outside to watch were compelled to draw back. Gradually the fire was forced down, the firemen doing wonderful work and fighting solidly for over an hour before the flames were eventually conquered. The fight was made the more difficult by the light nature of the superstructure and the fact that the woodwork was an easy prey to the fire. The firemen were forced to devote a good deal of attention to smaller outbreaks further away from the main blaze. When the fire was extinguished, about £100 in money and a number of papers that had been placed in the safe were recovered intact. The Park was thrown open to the public last night, when it was thronged with a large crowd, the devices which escaped the fire beinc freely patronised. °

It is the intention of the management to replace the scenic railway as quickly as possible and it is expected that it wiil be in running order again in about three weeks. The park will open as usual in the meantime. The insurances are not yet available.