Exploding Drums Gave Alarm Too Late

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30636, 30 December 1964, Page 1

Exploding Drums Gave Alarm Too Late

(From Our Own Reporter)

WAIMATE, December 29. Explosions from bursting oil drums and welding bottles were the first indications Mr N. Fleming, of Waikakahi, 16 miles from Waimate, had at 4.10 a.m. on Boxing Day that anything was amiss on his property. What is believed to be the original woolshed of the Waikakahi estate was found to be blazing from end to end. The Waimate Fire Brigade was called and two units were sent but the building had collapsed by the time they arrived, after being delayed by heavy fog. Covering nearly 14,000 square feet, the building comprised woolshed, workshop, grain store, implement shed, and general storeroom. It measured 210 feet by 66 feet. Gas and electric welding plants, two tractors, a header,

a motor truck, a grain elevator, power and band tools, bicycles, an electric range, a washing machine, shearing plant and a quantity of wheat were lost in the fire.

More than 13,000 gallons of water had to- be taken to the scene by tanker to enable the brigade to dampen down the wreckage and brigadesmen made three visits to the property to make sure the fire was out. It is estimated the building had been on fire for an hour or more before the outbreak was discovered.

In spite of insurances, Mr Fleming expects to be a heavy loser. A married couple on the property lost wedding presents and twenty-first birthday presents which were stored in the building. It is not known where or how the fire started.