FIRE IN STORE

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27491, 27 October 1954, Page 8

FIRE IN STORE

OUTBREAK IN COLOMBO STREET The overturning of a kerosene pressure burner is thought to have been the cause of a fire which burned and blackened stock in a storeroom occupied by J. F. Hargrave (Christchurch), Ltd., at 565 Colombo street early yesterday afternoon. The store is located in the upper storey of premises owned by W. H. Harris and Company, Ltd., tinsmiths. Part of the roof at the front of the building was charred, and much of the rest of the roof was blackened by smoke. Among supplies damaged by the fire were coils of rope, rubber V belts, wads of cleaning cloth, coils of asbestos lagging, and some cased goods. The manager of the firm, Mr H. M. Aston, said yesterday afternoon that it had not yet been possible to assess the extent of the damage. A blackened burner lying on a bench at the front of the store overlooking Colombo street is thought to have been the cause of the outbreak. It apparently overturned, and the burning fluid leapt from a bale of rope to some highly inflammable oakum.

Mr Aston was In his office nearby st the time. When he heard a cry of “fire” he immediately had all available fire-fighting appliances brought to bear on the flames. “I think we got within a whisker of getting it out,” he said afterwards.

Water poured into the building by the fire brigade found its way through holes in the floor into the Harris business premises below, and tarpaulins were spread to protect stocks. The fire brigade sent three engines, a turntable ladder and a salvage van to the fire when it was called at 1.48 p.m. The chief fire officer, Mr L. R. Osmond, was in charge of operations. The brigade made a very smart save,” said Mr Harris afterwards. The brigade received a call to a dwelling at 429 Durham street, occupied by Mr F, E. Dormwell, at 7.33 p.m. There was some damage to bedding. The brigade said the cause was a short circuit in the control switch of an electric blanket. Units from the central and St. Albans stations attended.