DAMAGED BY FIRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 245, 16 October 1931, Page 5

DAMAGED BY FIRE.

BRIDGE 'ON NORTH LINE. TRAINS DELAYED. RUNNING TO SCHEDULE TO-DAY. The wooden railway bridge over the Topuni River was damaged by fire last evening. Both the north-bound and south-bound trains between Auckland and Whaugarei were held up, but trains were run to schedule this morning.

-. The bridge is about 200 yards to the south of the Topuni station, which ia about eight miles north of Wellsford, and is a large wooden structure spanning the Topuni Eivcr, a wide tidal estuary. The fire broke out in one of the central spans and extensively damaged one of the main piles as well as the crossbeams supporting the decking, and the decking. The outbreak was first noticed by Mrs. R. Ross. / There was nobody on duty at the station, but a bucket brigade • was speedily formed and the fire was put out before it could spread further. The cause of the outbre.ak.is not known, but it is believed to have been accidental.

Leaving Whangarei at .3.15 p.m., a mixed train reached Topuni shortly after the blaze had- been- extinguished. The train was held at the station. The decking of the bridge was too badly damaged to allow the passengers to'walk across, and arrangements Avere made to transfer them by road to Wellsford, Avhere the north-bound train, Avhich left Auckland at 4.5 p.m., Avas held. Luggage, mails and,, perishable goods were also transferred by car. The train from Whangarei Avas then dispatched, a little over an. hour behind time, but the south-bound train was tAvo hours and a half late Avhen it reached Auckland. ..,..' A repair gang was put to Avork immediately the fire was suppressed, and by 6 a.m. to-day the bridge Avas Safe enough, to alloAV trains to cross a.t a slow speed.