Shed Damaged By Fire

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30794, 5 July 1965, Page 1

Shed Damaged By Fire

Fifteen firemen from three stations fought a fire in a shed containing 600 bales of hay and 200 bales of straw on the property of Daileys Fruit Grain and Produce, Ltd., 7 Riccarton road, early last evening. The 25ft by 50ft shed and its contents were badly damaged by the fire and water. The fire was discovered by Mr A. Barrett, proprietor of a fruit and dairy shop, and an employee, of his, Mr D. Hammett, telephoned the fire brigade at 5.40 p.m. Units from the Central, Sockburn and Sydenham stations answered the call. The fire had a good hold by the time the firemen arrived and the flames were bursting through the roof. Thousands of gallons of water was poured on the blaze from hoses taken down an alleyway from Riccarton

road. The shed was constructed of polite and corrugated iron. Traffic officers of the Christchurch City Council closed Riccarton road between the roundabout and Darvel street. Traffic on Riccarton road was diverted along Darvel and Ayr streets. The fire proved difficult to extinguish and a bulldozer was used to remove the smouldering hay. Two hours after the firemen arrived smoke was still coming from the shed. The flames did not spread to the main concrete building adjoining the shed.

The cause of the Are is not known but Mr E. Davidson, a director of the company, said he thought it might have been caused by children smoking or playing with matches. Children frequently trespassed on the property at week-ends, he said. Mr R. Dailey said the damage would run to several thousand pounds but there was an insurance cover.