FIRE-NEAR GASWORKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1936, Page 14

FIRE-NEAR GASWORKS

ALARM AT MIRAMAR. [PER press association.] WELLINGTON, June 15. Half an hour of excitement and some anxiety for the residents of Miramar living near the gasworks was provided to-night by a fire which seriously damaged a concrete-block making factory situated in-the shadow-of the gasometer. At the height of the outbreak flames, driven by a southerly breeze, licked the side, of the container, and, according to spectators, who could see by the light of the fire, blistered the paint on its iron walls over an area of many square yards.

The fire occurred in the factory of the Winget Block Company, Wexford Road, and was first noticed about 8.45 p.m„ when smoke was seen issuing from several parts of the building, an old rambling structure of corrugated iron on wood frames. A resident, Mr. J. Chinnock, whose property faces the main entrance to the factory, telephoned an alarm to the Central Fire Brigade Station, which communicated with the Miramar and Constable Street stations. An engine from these points was promptly on the scene, and men were also sent from the city station. When the firemen arrived, flames were bursting through the roof of the storehouse which forms an upper storey to the main factory. Dense clouds of smoke poured from the building, enveloping the gasometer against the sides of which flames and sparks were playing. The fire could be seen all over the district, and extensive damage was done.