HEROISM AT FIRE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 70, 15 December 1932, Page 10

HEROISM AT FIRE

Brigadesmen Risk Lives GAS PLANT ABLAZE Flames Issue from Mains hazardous sealing work Dominion Special Service. Auckland, Dec. 14. The Devonport Volunteer Fire Brigadesmen took their lives in their hands this morning when quelling an outbreak in the Auckland Gas Company’s plant in Lake R° a V’ Although an official explanation is lacking as to the cause of the fire, it is understood that a workman engaged ill the purifier tank accidentally struck an iron mam with ms pick. This is said to have ca “seJ what is described as a backfire that went through to the exhauster house, which contains the pressure pumping plant and the heads of all the mains. The valves were nnmccli ately turned, and the fire cut on. It was not long before there was a feeling of security, but later on when the valves were reopened there was a startling explosion from undei the floor of the exhauster house and almost immediately the building was a mass of flames. The Devonport Dre Brigade received the call at 10.30 a.m., and under the direction of Superintendent H. Follas 14 men were quickly on the scene. . t With four men the superintendent entered the burning building. The flames' were shooting through the door and window’s and the smell of escaping gas was everywhere. Superintendent Follas explained afterwards that the men did not know whether they would be blown to atoms at any moment. With two leads ’of hose inside and one playing on the roof from the outside, the flames were quelled after desperate work in an atmosphere reeking with gas and ammonia fumes. During'the operations part of the roof fell in, and there was danger to the men from falling beams. Sealing of Mains. When the flames were under control it was discovered that the mains were on tire, and the most hazardous work was sealing these with fireclay, which was quickly transported in buckets and tins from another part of the plant When the brigadesmen came out of the building it had the appearance of a complete wreck. The damage put out. of action completely the manufacture of gas, and users will be supplied in the meantime from the huge containers, in which there is at present sufficient gas to last for about 24 hours. It is hoped by the management that t>he plant will be repaired in time to carry on operations by the time the containers are empty, and that little or no inconvenience will be caused except to people in the more remote localities served. A graphic account of the fire was given by Superintendent Follas. “It is difficult to explain exactly what happened,” he said. “If it had been a residence or business premises we would have been quite at home. When the brigade arrived on the scene fire was coming out of the building where the mains are situated and the pumps operated, and I led three men into the place. We did not know what to expect or what might happen. There had been one explosion, and there was no knowing whether the whole place would -blow up at any moment. The gas mains themselves were on fire, and the flames were vicious. Tremendous Risk. “The risk to all concerned was tremendous, and it is a wonder that nobody was rendered unconscious by the fumes and heat. We had to go into the building as it was useless attempting to fight from the. outside. Two leads of hose were soon playing on the flames from the interior and one from the outside. Tlie men stuck it for about an hour. As we gradually got the flames under control, employees of the company risked their lives in the building to operate the valves so as to shut off the burning gas from spreading through the mains. We were fighting against time as there appeared to be a chance of the whole place blowing up at any time.” There was no insurance on the plant.