Paper at centre of fire

Press, 9 December 1983, Page 24

Paper at centre of fire

PA New Plymouth Compressed paper carbonettes and bales of paper were believed to be at the centre of the' fire which gutted a warehouse in central New Plymouth on Tuesday night. The old Newton King produce building in Currie Street was also the home of two men, an artist, Mr Dan Hodge, aged 27, who escaped from the blaze, and

another at present in the South Island.

At the height of the blaze about a tonne of water a minute was being poured from eight fire engines. Mr Hodge, who lost all his possessions, had been living in the building for six months. He carried no insurance.

He escaped with what he stood up in . and raised the alarm at 10.26 p.m. Fire-fighters with breath-

ing apparatus were sent into the building, but they were withdrawn after 20 minutes, said New Plymouth’s chief fire officer, Mr Michael Burke, yesterday.

The fire was under control bv 12.29 a.m.

At the height of the blaze about 47 firemen were on the scene.

No estimate of the damage was available.