DISASTROUS FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 18714, 16 August 1924, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE

SUGAR OP MILK FACTORY DESTROYED [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, August 15. Tho sugar of milk factory at Edendal© was found to be on fire at 8.30 p.m., and was burnt to the ground. Tho fire was first noticed in the office, and spread with alarming rapidity, soon demolishing tho building, which, with the plant, was valued at £40,000. Much of the plant was recently erected. Fortunately there was no wind, and the dairy factory alongside was undamaged. The boilers in the boilerhouse escaped with comparatively little damage. Tho blaze was visible for many miles around, and there was quite a rush of farmers to tho scene in cars. Tho destruction will have a serious effect on the dairying industry, as the factory had just boon renovated in preparation for tho season.

INSURANCE, £30,000. REBUILDING TO COMMENCE AT ONCE. The information supplied hv the head office in Dunedin gives the bright lining. The boilers and tho boilerhouse are intact. Thus tho reconstruction will not bo so difficult or expensive. The company has sufficient sugar of milk in store at Bluff and Dunedin to fulfil local requirements. The chairman of directors (Mr J. G. Neil), with Messrs 11. F. Nees and A. Hams, who are also on tho board, left Dunedin this morning for Edendalo, accompanied by a machinery exfpert, to made arrangements for rebuilding. The company has been eleven years in existence. The insurances are in the neighborhood of £30,000, in tho Guardian office.