FIRE IN CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 10

FIRE IN CHEMICAL WAREHOUSE

I Brigade's Splendid Save | BURNING BITUMEN PROVES TROUBLESOME With bitumen burning wildly inside the building and columns of dense black smoke issuing from it, the Wellington Central Fire Brigade was provided with one of the most difficult tasks it has had for some time early last night, when it was called on to suppress an outbreak of fire in the warehouse of S. W. Peterson and Co., Ltd., 165 Vivian Street. When the brigade arrived the tire had a strong hold, but iu spite of that and other difficulties it was only a few minutes before the outbreak was under control and a good save effected. The building is a brick structure of two stories with an iron roof, and is used as a chemical warehouse and manufacturing establishment for sheep dips, disinfectants, and preservatives. The fire originated at the north-eastern end of the building on the ground floor, and is believed to have been caused by the overheating of a drum of bitumen. A call was received by the central station from a street alarm and another by telephone, and three engines were immediately sent away. One machine from each of the Wellington South and Thorndon stations also went to the scene. Three leads from a motor pump were played on the fire with instant effect.

Although the fire had a strong hold when it arrived, the brigade succeeded in confining the outbreak to the section of the building where it originated. For a short time the flames, reflected ou a column of thick smoke, could be seen for some distance, but once the water was played on the fire it was quickly suppressed. The firemen met their greatest trouble from the burning bitumen. The smoke from this source was dense and suffocating, necessitating the use of respirators by those working inside the structure. The firemen also had to contend with a number of empty carboys (glass containers) exploding round them, but these were not particularly troublesome. Ono of the firemen received burns to his wrist, but they were not serious. At the time of the outbreak, tlie sales manager, Mr. N. F. Peterson, and two storemen were working in the building, but the fire broke out with such suddenness that it got completely out of their control almost before they were aware of the position. The damage to the building itself was not very extensive, but tbe contents were fairly severely damaged by smoke and water. Both the building and contents are insured, but the actual amounts were not available last night.