TIMBER BLAZE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 214, 10 September 1931, Page 7

TIMBER BLAZE.

MORNINGSIDE OUTBREAK

FIGHT TO SAVE HOUSE.

BRIGADE'S STRENUOUS WORK

LOSS ESTIMATED AT £4000.

Fire near the Morningside railway station early this morning destroyed large stacks of timber owned by Woolsey Allen, Ltd., of .McDonald Street, Morn, ingside, and threatened neighbouring houses. The fire was described as one of the largest'that has occurred-in the Mount Albert district. When the Mount Albert brigade arrived at 1.45 a.m. it was found that a drying shed, stacked to the roof with seasoned timber, was ablaze. A fire tender and crew had to be called from the city. , Mr. J. Wareing, deputy superintendent of the Mount Albert. Brigade, said this morning that the firemen had a strenuous fight. For an hour and a half water was poured into the flames without any apparent effect, and the brigade had to' use all its efforts to save the house of Mr. H. Williams, next: to the burning building. Furniture Removed From House. ■■ "The corrugated iron wall was white hot, and the supporting framework was giving way," said Mr. Wareing. "Only the collapsing roof at the front end was holding the wall from falling outwards." The wall of the house was separated from the big shed by only a narrow strip of . lawn. So critical was the position that Mr. Williams removed his furniture and everything else from his house while the brigade was. engaged in its fight. . At 3.30 a.m. it could be seen that the flames were losing way, and the greater part of the roof at the middle and back of the shed had collapsed. The wall, except for that part of it which was in a tottering condition, opposite the house, had also fallen in. All the timber was by then becoming saturated with the water that was poured through holes which had been chopped in the wall. Anyone who looked at the front end of the wall and the sunken roof this morning realised that the fire had been driven back in the "nick of time." At places the wooden framework was charred through. / Collapsing Around Firemen. As the firemen were entering the building to' get- at' the seat of the fire the timber was collapsing around them, and some men : received minor injuries. Flames continued to break from the ashes and partly-burnt timbers that were heaped for three-quarters of the length of the shed; and only one corner, near the road, appeared to be untouched by the fire. For many hours hoses were played on the smouldering remains. Appreciation was expressed by the firemen of the assistance given by Mr. and Mrs. Willianis in providing them with tea and breakfast, and also in giving attention, to those who. received cuts while they were working. A representative of the company said to-day that the loss was estimated at £4000. The building was filled with dressed timber of all kinds, including kauri, Oregon, rimu, matai and totara. The insurance on' the building and it# contents was £2500, in the United Insur. ance Company Superintendent 111. Mr. F. C. Marter, superintendent of the Mount Albert Fire Brigade,' who is undergoing a serious operation, was unable to be present wit ', the brigade, and the Work* was therefore under the charge of Mr. Wareing, the deputysuperintendent...