FREEZING WORKS FIRE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24150, 8 January 1944, Page 4

FREEZING WORKS FIRE

HEAVY DAMAGE AT WAITARA

GREATEST LOSS IN CONTENTS (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 7. A disastrous fire which broke out in the wool cleaning and drying store of Thos. Borthwick and Sons meat freezing works at Waitara at 5 o’clock this morning completely demolished the main two-storey building of that section of the works and gutted two other single storey bays adjoining. No estimate of the value of the buildings, plant, and slock affected could be given to-day by the manager (Mr P. J. Allen), nor could he give details of insurances covering the damage, but a survey of the destruction suggests it must run to several thousand pounds. The buildings themselves represent a considerable amount, but the contents, including expensive plant and stocks, are by far the greatest loss.

Killing proceeded as usual to-day and every effort is to be made to maintain production and to keep faith with the farmers. The fire is not expected to affect the work to any extent in the next few days until temporary cover is provided for the reconditioned plant. In the meantime an endeavour is being made to dry wool in the open, and it is hoped the fine weather will hold. Wool ami Hides Lost The buildings affected involve the works in a temporary loss of approximately 24,000 feet of floor space. In the stores burnt were about 1200 bags of lime, 1000 wool packs, 119 drums of sodium, 64 bales of wool, and about ,'iO.OOOIb of loose wool (representing two days’ kiliingsl. 12,044 lamb and 1209 sheep pelts, 6437 green pelts, and 2524 skins. Among the plant damaged by fire were two Petrie wool driers, one of which was a recent installation. When the fire was discovered by the night watchman there was a sharp crackling sound and dense smoke. The place then almost instantly burst into (lames, which enveloped thg whole of the store and 1 quickly spread to the adjoining bays. A call was made on the New Plymouth Brigade. No explanation of the cause of the fire could be given to-day.