FIREMEN'S LONG FIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 9

FIREMEN'S LONG FIGHT.

fascination for public. MUCH-PETROL STILL UNEXPLODED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Throughout last night firemen were engaged in pouring water on the fire at D. H. Brown and Co.V petrol store, where a fire was started on Thursday night. ■, " • Although its spectacular effect had long disappeared, the fire still held a fascination for the public, and hundreds of people stood-for hours watching the fight that was ; being .made- by the brigade. It had become a monotonous struggle. Kor long, intervals it seemed that tlie-deluge of water -was gradually subduing . the fire, but suddenly large columns of flariie would burst forth, indicating that in the heart of th- building there was still a raging .furnace. The walls on either side were gradually giving way and there was ah uncertainty about the position that held the attention of the spectators.

. The efforts of the brigade were concentrated- on avoiding a collapse of the walls, and at. the same time they endeavoured to flood the floor in order to prevent drums of petrol that are situated there from exploding. . Many spectators complained of headaches while .watching the fire. This was due to the presence of carbon monoxide gas, which was being'given off in large quantities from,' the blaze. Normally the gas would have risen, but in the moist night atmosphere it had a tendency to hang close to the ground. Evidence of Incendiarism. There seems to be no doubt that the lire was the work of incendiarists. Before 10.30 o'clock on Thursday evening two men were seen near the building. One was near the oil bond and the other had a position on the top of the steps of the railway overhead bridge, which commands an excellent view of Madras Street, Carlyle Street and the oil bond itself. These two men were seen to get into a motor car and leave the scene. When the firemen arrived within a few minutes of the alarm being given they found that the western sliding door was closed, but the padlock was missing. Mr. W. Pryce, a traveller for the firm, and Mr. G. Lavender, head storeman, closed the bond at 5 p.m., after making a thorough inspection of the building. The doors were padlocked. No nightwatchman was employed.