CAUSE OF OUTBREAK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 45, 21 August 1930, Page 10

CAUSE OF OUTBREAK

SWITCH BOX BLAMED

QUICK RUSH OF THE FLAMES

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

The cause of tho Are at Plummer's hat factory is being investigated today. It appears that an electrician was working yesterday afternoon at the main switch of the electric system.

The switch is situated in the office on the ground floor facing Rutland street. The fuse blew out, and immediately there was a burst of yellow smoke. Tho Superintendent of tho Fire Brigade said to-day that it was the sort of smoke that would be expected from acetate, a volatile substance used in hatmaking. AVhen the brigade arrived there was an acrid smell similar to that given off from acetate, which was'practically a solution of celluloid, a very inflammable substance. The blaze spread so rapidly that tho superintendent could not otherwise account for it.

AVhen the brigade arrived, he added, the fire had such a hold that it was impossible for the firemen to enter tlio building. On a report being circulated that someone was still inside, _ a fireman wearing a smoke mask climbed into a window of the first story and made sure that nobody was in ithe building.