FIRE AT CANDLE WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 325, 12 October 1908, Page 8

FIRE AT CANDLE WORKS.

INSURANCESINVOLVED OVER £4000. IB* TKLEUUAI'U—I'KEiJS ASSOCIATION.) Dunedln, October 10. A serious firo occurred in the candlo departmont of M'L'eod Bros' Soap and l»'andk> Works this morning. The firo' had a good hold when it was discovered. The brigade did splendid work, and confined tlio outbreak to tho press-room, in which it originated. A largo quantity of fat stored in this room was responsible for tho liro making rapid headway. Tho liro destroyed everything within tho area to .which it was coniined. The machinery l was warped' and twisted out of all recognition,. and tho presses were burned right out. The origin of the tiro is a mystery. There are no fires in this department; tho furnaces are in the still-room, which is separated by an ISin; wall, and all heating is dqno by steam. The only • iiillammablo materials on tho lloor were haircloths, upon which fat is spread, and it appears that it was 011 this tioor that the mischief began. When- 0110 of tho firemen piilled the doors open at 6.30 all - appeared safe. Tho firo of somo threo years ago started in tho same department. There was another about eight years oarlier, but it originated in the soap works at tho back.

Tho candle department was fully stocked, and the manager anticipates considerable loss. The buildings aud machinery wero insured for a total of £22,550. as follow:— Guardian, £5000; South British, £4000; Liverpool, London, and Globe, '£4000;-Now Zealand, £2250; Royal Exchange, £1750; Queensland, £1500; Standard, £1500;. Phoonix, £3000; North, British, £1000; United, £750; Australian Alliance, £500. Tho department that was gutted was covered by £4500 of this, as under : —Buildings, £700; steam engme, £200; machinery, £1750; and stock, £1500. This, divided among tho offices concerned, works out at about one-fifth of tho sums allotted above to each.