MILL DESTROYED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 167, 17 July 1941, Page 9

MILL DESTROYED

BLAZE AT MAMAKU RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES (0.C.) MAMAKU, this day. The State timber mill at Mamaku, operated by the Railways Department, was completely destroyed by fire rest night. The spread of the flames was very rapid, and. within an hour oi' the discovery of the outbreak, the mill and building had been razed to the ground, and three tall chimneys had crashed.

By a fortunate circumstance, the direction of the wind was such that 750.000 ft of timber in the yards was untouched. Although mill hands and their families live close to the mill, the fire had gained a strong hold when it was discovered at 9.30 p.m., and all efforts to suppress the flames were fruitless.

The mill building was 40 years old at least, and even if the workers had not been absent at a Home Guard parade it is doubtful if a save could have been effected. The fire is thought to have started in the roof of the boiler house.

This morning all that remained were twisted girders, machinery and smou|dering ruins. It is believed that it will be possible to salvage some of the machinery. About 50 mill hands and 20 bushmen are unemployed as a result of the fire, but because of the labour shortage they will have no difficulty in finding other positions in the district. It is not known, whether the Government intends to rebuild the mill.