OIL STORE FIRE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18096, 11 June 1924, Page 11

OIL STORE FIRE.

BUILDING STILL BURNING

(PHESS ASSOCIATION TELF.GBAH.)

INVERCARGILL, June 10.

The fire which broke out in the Imperial Oil Company's building in Spey street on Monday afternoon, completely destroying the and building, continued to burn all day. In the early morning a strong wind suddenly sprang up, and the flames, which were still 'leaping to a great height, threatened danger to the Vacuum Oil Company's store on the opposite side of the street in which were stored over 40,000 cases of petrol, approximately 1110 cases of kerosene, and 20,000 gallons of lubricating oil.. One-third of the Vacuum Oil Company's premises is of brick and the remainder is of corrugated iron. The danger to these premises, however, was lessened by the fact that the front portion of the store is used to • house the stocks of lubricating oil, which is not of such an inflammable nature 'as the motor spirits or kerosene. Nevertheless it was necessary for the brigade to keep a strict watch on these premises, to which drifting sparks formed a constant source of danger. As the day advanced the fire abated in intensity, and the flames gradually subsided. All day long a. dense column of smoke drifted over the town. It is probable that the Are will continue to burn for some time yet, but the danger which threatened to nearby buildings is past. On enquiry at the hospital it wis ascertained that F. G. Smith, who was injured while endeavouring to check the iire in its early stages, was making satisfactory progress.