BISCUIT FACTORY DAMAGED

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 24, 30 January 1928, Page 11

BISCUIT FACTORY DAMAGED

GOOD SAVE BY BRIGADE (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, 29th January. Damago to machinery, stock, and fitlings, estimated at £9000, resulted from a fire which broke out in the factory portion of a building occupied by C. G. Laurie and Company, confectionery and biscuit manufacturers, Stanley street, yesterday afternoon. The portion where tho sweets are made was completely destroyed, severe damage being caused in the biscuit-making section. The alarm was given shortly before 4 o'clock by some men working nearby. When the city and Parnell Fire Brigades arrived on the scene the flames and dense masses of smoko were issuing through tho roof at the back of the building. Some difficulty was experienced in getting at the seat of tho outbreak, but tho firemen were aided greatly by a good flow of water. The building is a two-story brick structure, and it is thought the fire started on tho first floor just above the ovens. Sugar and other highly-inflam-mable material used in the factory added fuel to the flames, and soon the first story was a roaring inferno. Before tho brigades subdued the flames the roof fell in with a loud crash. ' Adding to the chaos, dense masses of steam rose from the red-hot machinery as water played on it. The building was closed at midday, and it is thought tho fire must have started some time before it was noticed. The brigades made an excellent save. At first it was feared the floor between tho first and second stories would collapse. Storerooms next to the factory were fortunately saved. Considerable damage resulted to the stock from water. The factory contained much valuable machinery, and the damage to this is estimated at £3000. Other damage is confined to fittings and stock plant, which are insured with the South British for £12,000.. The factory is covered for £2500 with the New Zealand Company, and.for £4500 with the South British.Office.