Wool Store Lost In Big Fire

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31304, 25 February 1967, Page 14

Wool Store Lost In Big Fire

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 24.

The two-acre wool store and scouring plant of the New Zealand Co-operative Wool Marketing Association, Ltd., at 16 Matipo street, Onehunga, was razed by fire tonight.

The loss was estimated tonight to be £750,000. The store was jammed with more than £350,000 worth of wool.

Ten machines from brigades around Auckland answered the call just before 10 p.m. They managed to save the caretaker’s house, but the remainder of the store and plant was lost. Two firemen were injured by falling roof iron. Two houses nearby were evacuated as flames blistered paint. Within minutes of the alarm flames fanned by a

strong wind were leaping high over the site. Loud explosions were followed by flames shooting 70 feet into the air.

Drums of oil stored in one part of the building caused some concern to firemen, but they worked on in hazardous conditions with blazing wreckage falling round them. A crowd of 2000 watched. At one stage a wall of flame 200 yards long and 100 yards deep covered the whole block. It could be seen for many miles.

The plant and contents were fully Insured.