Warehouse razed in resin-fuelled fire

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 1

Warehouse razed in resin-fuelled fire

By

NEIL CLARKSON

A fire fuelled by plastic resin engulfed a storage warehouse in Halswell last evening in one . of the biggest blazes in Christchurch in years. The warehouse of Kirbys Carriers, Ltd, in Halswell Junction Road was ablaze from end to end in minutes, men little option but-to stop the fire spreading to other vjmild-y ' Ings. VY; The Fire Service receive® ttye call just after 9 p.m. Fire Commander Charles Inglis said the rear wall of thebuilding, which measured about

120 m by 80m, was alight when firemen arrived. The blaze quickly spread into the roof area towards the front of the building. Fifteen minutes later the roof collapsed, dragging down the front wall. About 40 firemen fought the fire, playing five hoses on to the building. It was clear minutes after the firemen arrived that there was no hope of saving the building, as flames leapt 20 metres high. Surrounding buildings were

never seriously threatened. The nearest was about 100 m away. The warehouse was being used for the storage of furniture and plastic resin. Firemen from Sockburn and Spreydon were first on the scene, reinforced soon after by units from the Christchurch Central station. At its height the Fire Service had six pumps, a hose layer, snorkel unit, emergency tender, and control car at the fire. Firemen were expected to remain at the scene all night Several hundred spectators turned out to watch the fire.