FIERCE BLAZE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 23, 27 January 1940, Page 10

FIERCE BLAZE.

TOMOANA WORKS. EARLY MORNING FIRE FREEZING COMPANY'S LOSS. | NEW BUILDING "DAMAGED. ( (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) , HASTINGS, this day. With two lire brigades battling against tierce flames, the Tomoana freezing works of Nelsons (N.Z.), Limited, were saved from almost certain widespread damage when lire broke out early this morning in a new building ■ which was Hearing completion. The outbreak was confined to the new structure, which was being creeled to provide additional storage space, and to the roof of the adjoining freezing chamber, in which building damage was caused to a quantity of meat. The alarm was raised about 1.30 a.m. by one of the engineers. The flames then had a firm hold in the upper floor of the new freezer room. With two brigades ou the job, six ! leads of hose were run out, and those , gave an effective lighting force, the flames being tackled from all angles. There was a good pressure of water and I the flames were steadily brought under ■ control, so much eo, in fact, that by o a.m. the Hastings brigade was able to return to its quarters, leaving the men of the works' brigade to quell a few sparks found smouldering. Had the fire not been chocked before it had gained a really serious hold in the I roof of the extensive main freezer block, it is likely that widespread damage would have been dune. Serious Damage to Meat. The actual damage to meat has no; been assessed, but it was thought to bo serious, considering that between £150,000 and £200,000 worth of meat was in store. Probably the most serious aspect of the lire is the loss of the use of the additional storage space, which was being provided because of the war. The building-, which was being erected by the Williamson Construction Company. of Christchurch. had not been handed over to Nelsons, Limited, but the structure was ncaring completion, and it was hoped it would be available to carry stocks of meat by the end of February. The cost of the new building was in the vicinity of .C 1-1,000, but the actual constructional loss would not amount to that sum in view of the fact that portion of the structure is still in a condition that it may be used in its ichabilitation. The building and stocks were insured.