LIME WORKS FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 136, 11 June 1945, Page 7

LIME WORKS FIRE

BRIGADE'S LONG TRIP

P.A. WANGANUI, June 10. A fire engine had to travel about 24 miles from Wanganui to Waitotara this morning when fire broke out in the Waitotara Lime Company's works. One-half of the company's main building was destroyed before the engine arrived, but it was able to save the remainder. The fire was discovered just before daybreak by a railwayman living nearby. Employees of the works and other Waitotara residents formed themselves into a voluntary brigade, and by means of buckets, did good work till the engine from Wanganui arrived. Three hundred feet of hose was run out to a lpfion nearby, and the southern half of the building was saved. The roof had caved in when the brigade arrived, the fire having spread beyond the control of the voluntary fighters.

Work in the building had ceased at midday on Saturday. No estimate of the damage could be given tonight, but it is believed to be considerable. The works supplies a wide district with lime, and will be out of commission till repairs can be effected. The theory is that spontaneous combustion was the cause of the fire, which damaged valuable machinery, electric motors, and other portions of the plant. If is believed the fire started in a pile of sacks near the centre of the building. A similar fire occurred in the same works seven years ago.