FIRE IN MATCH FACTORY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 3

FIRE IN MATCH FACTORY

WOMAN SEVERELY BURNED LITTLE DAMAGE TO PLANT (New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, September 17. A woman was severely* burned in a fire in the match factory of Bryant and May, Bell and Company, Ltd., in Guyton street this afternoon. She is Mrs Audrey Hopkinson, aged 45, of Fox road. Matches in a packing machine burst into flame and scattered sparks on to a conveyor carrying trays of matches. It is believed that safety shields on the packing machine failed to work. In the room were hundreds of trays of matches ready for packing, and these burst into flame. Cartons in the room, both empty and full, were set alight, and the fire spread to the ceiling, where supplies of unused and unassembled cartons were stored. The damage to plant was not great, the main equipment not being affected by the flames, but most of it was drenched with water. Next to the factory is a large store, full of cases and cartons of matches ready for distribution. The brigadesmen kept the fire from this store, and its contents suffered only a little damage from water.

When the fire broke out Mrs Hopkinson apparently made for the front door, but was enveloped in flames from flashing crates of live matches. Her smock was on fire and she was severely burned about the hands and arms.

Other employers escaped through two wide doorways leading into the store. About 45 persons are employed in the factory, many of them women.