CARS BURNT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 93, 21 April 1931, Page 11

CARS BURNT

ANOTHER GAiMii'^lßß

OUTBREAK AT f HORNDOtf

'The second garage fire in; Wellington within a week occurred at 11.35 p.myesterday, when soine^twenty motor-cars ia Messrs. W. Birkctt and Sons' preuiises in Thorndon quay wore either destroyed or very badly damaged. Car* in the workshop--at the..back .of the building- and several.in. the showroom were caught by the flames -.and only * few, near the main door to. the street, escaped. On the first floor were stored about forty cars, but .these, with, the exception of, one, were.only slightly.damaged by heat and smoke. Just, before the arrival of the brigade, a considerable explosion, occurred at the back 'of tlicf' building, assisting the flames to sweep through'the'ground floor. The brigade did excellent/work,, and 'prevented the. flames spreading to the upper story. An. adjoining building was endangered by-the'flaines, but it suffered only minor damage..;.As far as can: be ascertained the fire started in the workshop,-but there is no indication as to its cause. ■ ' ■ High-pressure leads were brought into play from thoback of the building,.but the main attack was made through th» main doors opening into the showroom. Efforts to prevent the flames spreading up the walls, and also to a wooden .ramp.leading, to the first floor were'suceessfuL The rear portion of the building was completely gutted,- biit-th* front:escaped -with''-a bad .scorching. No- insurances' are available. ■ Th« building, which is. of wood, and concret» construction, .is owned1 by. the" Caselberg Estate. _/." ■;.'' ' . ''." '': '[