BLAZE AT PAEROA DESTROYS LARGE FACTORY PREMISES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 4

BLAZE AT PAEROA DESTROYS LARGE FACTORY PREMISES

(P.A.) AUCKLAND. Dec. 14. A serious fire broke out in Paeroa shortly before 6 p.m. yesterday when a two-storey doll factory in Wharf street was destroyed. The fire raged for more than two hours. When the walls of the factory collapsed, portions fell against the Civic Hall, but the fire brigade concentrated several leads of water and prevented a further spread of the fire. The factory was full of highly inflammable material, and a series of minor explosions could be heard as the fire raged. At the height of the blaze the Te Aroha brigade was informed that the position was serious. This brigade arrived within half an hour, but the fire was then under control.

The destroyed building was for many years used as a picture theatre and dance-hall, but latterly had been subleased to Traders Supplies, Limited, of Auckland, who have used it as a doll manufacturing factory, employing about 40 people. The building was insured with the London and Lancashire Insurance Company, Limited, for £2OOO. The fittings were also insured.