RISELEYS MOTORS FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 23421, 11 November 1939, Page 9

RISELEYS MOTORS FIRE

WHOLE BLOCK ENDANGERED FIREMEN INJURED IN EXPLOSION DAMAGE ESTIMATE £13,000 fPEB United Peebs Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, November 10. Damage estimated at £13,000 -was caused by a fire which gutted the motor body factory of Riseleys Motors Ltd., in Dundas Street, this evening. Fanned by a strong westerly wind, the fire threatened to sweep the entire' block, but the firo brigade, working under difficulties, was able to check the spread of the flames, and only one of the adjoining properties, that of Messrs P. Feron and Son Ltd., Moorhouse Avenue, suffered any damage. Two firemen were injured when a drum of inflammable material, believed to be carbide, exploded in the burning building. They were taken to the public hospital and treated for burns, but neither was seriously hurt. The fire brigade drew heavily on its resources to fight the fire. Five engines from the central station and one each from St. Albans and Sydenham were in operation, and no fewer than nine leads of hose directed water on to the flames. The tire was well established throughout the big L-shaped building occupied by Riseley Motors when tho brigade arrived at 6.5 p.m., and it was not until three-quarters of an hour later that the danger of the fire spreading throughout the block was entirely removed. The brigade had a particularly hard task in saving the building of Messrs Suckling \Brothers Ltd., boot manufacturers, which was enclosed on two sides by tho L-shaped building of Riseley Motors. The task of the firemen was made more difficult by the dense clouds of smoke which came from materials in the motor car body factory. The smoke, shot with long tongues of flame, made a striking spectacle for the huge crowds which soon collected in nearby streets. The city was busy with returning racegoers and show visiters, and the congestion in the streets presented a difficult problem for the city traffic staff. Covering nearly 20,000 square feet, tho building housed one of the largest motor body plants in the Dominion. The Dundas street frontage was of two stories, but the greater part of tho building was of one story and of wood and iron construction or wood and iron inside a brick shell. It is assumed that the fire began somewhere near the joint of tho L, and that a strong wind carried the flames through the buildings in two directions simultaneously. At the extreme eastern portion ibhe fire spread to the buildings of Messrs P. Feron and Son, and it was hero that the firemen had their most anxious task. Fortunately, they were able to attack the flames from several points, the damage being confined to buildings housing the fish meal plant and curing department

DRUM EXPLODES. It was while working near the front of tho building that two firemen, P. Crowe and J. Shearer, were injured. Without warning a drum exploded and enveloped the men in flames. There had been no apparent danger, and the firemen were working in relays because of the intense heat and smoko. Both were immediately taken to hospital, Mr Crowe being admitted to a ward with burns to the head, face, and hands. Hie condition was reported last evening not to be serious. Mr Shearer had less extensive injuries, and after treatment was discharged. At the time of the explosion Mr R. N., Hodder, secretary to Riseley Motors, , .was carrying a large filing cabinet containing the firm’s records out of the office on the first floor. He was flung against tho wall by the shock, but suffered no injury. ESTIMATES OF DAMAGE. The building was owned by Messrs Suckling Bros. Ltd., and the damage is estimated by Mr J. A. East (manager) at between £3,000 and £4,000. The insurances are with the London and Lancashire office, but the amounts are not available. Part of Messrs Suckling Brothers’ stock of leather was stored in the gutted building, but this is valued at £5,000 and is expected to be only partly damaged. It is insured for £2,500 with the State Office. Mr Hodder estimated the damage to Riseley Motors’ stock and plant at £6,000. The insurances are with tho Norwich Union Office. The damage to Messrs Feron and Sons’ property is estimated at £l t OOO, and is covered by insurance policies with the South British Company. Mr Hodder said that the staff had been working all day and had left the premises at 5 p.m., only an hour before the fire was discovered. The most fortunate feature of the affair was that a contract of nine trucks for the Army had .only just been completed and the vehicles taken out of the factory.