FIRE DESTROYS FARM SHED

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28217, 4 March 1957, Page 8

FIRE DESTROYS FARM SHED

£4OOO Damage At Darfield Fire destroyed a combined shearing and implement shed on the property of Mr Ray Anderson at Darfield about 6.40 p.m. on Saturday. Destroyed in the fire were a heavy truck, a hay baler, a bulk lime sower, and other agricultural machinery. A heavy tractor was also badly damaged. Mr Anderson, a farmer and agricultural contractor, estimates his loss at £4OOO. There was a moderate insurance cover on the shed and plant. This is the second severe loss by fire that Mr Anderson has suffered in a week. Last Monday, while heading clover seed in a paddock at Darfield, Mr Anderson’s header caught fire and the machine, valued at between £l7OO and £lBOO, was destroyed. Engine Backfires

The fire in Mr Anderson’s shearing shed was caused when a petrol-driven shearing machine backfired and sprayed hot petrol over the greasy floor of the shed. A spark from the machine evidently ignited it and Mr F. A. Protheroe. who was alone in the shed crutching a few of Mr Anderson’s sheep, was unable to extinguish it. In spite of Mr Protheroe’s attempts to beat out the flames with sacks, they spread rapidly and the whole building was quickly ablaze. About half a dozen sheep in the pens were released unharmed. Mr Anderson, his wife and two sons were absent from the farm temporarily and only his ftv o small children were in the house.

By the titne help was summoned the fire had a very strong hold. Fire-fighting units of the Malvern County Council were sent, and 200 residents of Darfield and the surrounding districts helped to control the fire and prevent it spreading to the farm house and other buildings. “All those persons assisting did a wonderful job in keeping the fire under control and saving the other buildings.” said Mr Anderson last evening. “At one stage, another building caught fire, but they managed to put it out.”

HOUSE FIRE AT PREBBLETON

EMPTY BUILDING GUTTED An empty house in Williams street, Prebbleton, was gutted by fire about 10 p.m. on Saturday. The house was a small bungalow of modern design and was owned by Mr A. M. Bagnell, of New Brighton. It had been empty for the last four months, with a sale notice board erected. The cause of the fire is not known. The fire was noticed by neighbours who gave the alarm. However, ' by the time fire engines from the Central and Sockburn fire stations and a fire tender from the Paparua County Council arrived, the fire had a strong hold. It was put out quickly but by then the interior of the house was completely burnt out, with only the walls standing. Firemen prevented the blaze from spreading to two nearby houses. The fierce blaze of the« fire quickly attracted local residents and a considerable crowd of persons watched the fire-fighting operations.