SPECTACULAR FIRE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 13

SPECTACULAR FIRE

Wellington Timber Mill Gutted MOTORIST’S PROMPT ACTION With Hames leaping to a height ot 49 feet, a spectacular tire broke out iu the mill of the Scott Timber Company, Ltd., on tlie corner of Cable and Tory Streets hist riight, gutted the mill, went through the machinery, and destroyed and damaged much of Ibe dressed timber. If it had not been for the prompt action of a passing motorist, who drove back and warned the Central Fire Station, the fire must have been more serious. As it. was, the brigade was able to control the Hames just as they were starting to make progress. Tlie cause of the fire could not be discovered last night, and it is not yet known how much damage was done.

Mr. E. J. Lonsdale, of 11 Falkirk Avenue. Seatonn, was driving home past, the timber yard when lie noticed smoke issuing from the mill. ’Though he was not sure if there was a fire, he determined to tell the fire brigade, and he drove back to Wakefield Street so quickly that after all the excitement he was taking pains to see he would not be charged with driving at an excessive speed. The Central Fire Brigade was given tlie alarm by Mr. Lonsdale at 5.43 p.m. Two engines were sent, and another one came from Constable Street, but it was not used. The flames were quickly brought under control, though a watch had to lie kept for a long time for "bulls-eyes”—small isolated fires that start from sparks or smouldering timber. Fortunately the night was calm. Had there been a wind, said one of the officers, the fire would have been very difficult to handle.

Because of the smoke, litter and darkness, a thorough examination of the mill could nof be made last night, but it seemed that the fire started in one of the planing mills, and swept through the shavings to the other machinery and to tlie timber stack alongside. The roof of the mill was damaged, as well as the saw and the dressed timber in tlie mill and that on the outside of the/stack. The most noticeable feature of the fire was the speed with which it went through the plant. When Mr. Lonsdale left to warn the brigade only smoke was coming out; when the brigade arrived a few minutes later Hie flames were as high as the company’s office alongside.

For the first time since they were bought, tlie brigade’s branch rests v.*re used. Designed for outside work, these rests, when placed on tlie ground, enable one man to handle a lead of hose. Before they were bought, several men were needed to control each lead, and the dragging of the hose up and down the street io vantage points used to tire the men more than necessary. . Last night Hie rests were proved to be a valuable addition to tlie station’s equipment.