A BIG BLAZE

Grey River Argus, 18 April 1925, Page 6

A BIG BLAZE

STRATFORD AND BLAIR’S MILL RAZED TO THE GROUND. The mill of Messrs Stratford and Blair, in Gresson Street was burned to the ground yesterday morning. The fire was discovered by Mr Peter Stevenson, of the Harbour Board staff, at about 5.30 a.m. and the building, which is an old wooden one, was then a seething mass of flames. The alarm was at once given, and the brigade was quickly on the scene, but it was at once seen that their efforts would be fruitless. Several leads of hose were turned on to the b/rning building, and the brigades attertion was also directed to saving the stacks of timber which surrounded the blazing structure. In this, the firemen were entirely successful. The fire burned with startling rapidity, and within an incredible short space of time the mil! was nothing but a smouldering ruin. All credit must be given io the members of the Fire Brigade for the heroic fight they put up against oveiwlielmiug odds, including a watc- uro that was not of the best. There is nothing to show how the fire originated. When the employees ceased work the previous evening the usual careful inspection was made, and everything then appeared to bo all right. The damage is estimated at £l2OO. The insurances are as follows: —Build Ing £170; belting and shafting £100: engine and boiler fittings £80; planing machine £150; total £soo— all in the Phoenix office.