TAR OIL ABLAZE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 119, 22 May 1941, Page 6

TAR OIL ABLAZE

REFINERY OUTBREAK FIREMEN'S DIFFICUKTIES A fierce blaze at the distar refinery of the Auckland Gas Company in Beaumont Street wjjs fought for over an hour by firemen from the Central fire station last evening. An explosion was heard shortly after 6.30 p.m., and flames rapidly spread through the building and mounted above the roof, while gorse on the hill behind the building also caught fire. Two engines from the Central station attended the outbreak, which proved difficult to subdue. The continual explosion of barrels of tar oil caused the fire to secure a new hold at times when it appeared to be almost under control, and the flames would again rise above the building. Thick clouds of black smoke rose high into the air. and at times were lit up by the glare of the flames, making them visible for some distance round the city. The difficulties of the firemen were increased by the dense smoke and fierce heat generated by the burning oil. Considerable structural damage was done to the wood and iron building, and oil continued to burn long after the main outbreak had been extinguished. The refining plant was not seriously damaged, and an adjacent exporting building also escaped.