A BIG BLAZE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 September 1924, Page 4

A BIG BLAZE

HAWERA TIMBER CO.’S PREMISES DESTROYED.

One of the biggest fires experienced in Hawera for some time broke out in the Hawera Timber and Joinery Co., Ltd.’s premises early this morning, and, owing to the fact that the whole building was ablaze when the outbreak was discovered, the building was completely demolished.

Mrs A. Blair, who resides same distance from the scene of the fire, was the first to discover what was happen--ing, and she awakened her husband, who gave the alarm by telephone. The Brigade was quickly on the scene, there being a full attendance, and no time was lost in getting to work. There was practically no wind at. the time, but a draught caused by the surface of the road being lower than the. adjoining land resulted in the flames sweeping down the road in the direction of the railway station. It. was necessarv for the brigade to attack the fire from the far side, and to get there they had to drive through the flames, which swept out across the road and set. alight the wooden railings of the fence opposite. The dash through to the other side did not result in serious consequences, although Superintendent- Morrison and Fireman 'Canty both ‘ sustained slight burns; while the paint on one side of the motor was‘blistered.;

With the water tower turned on the pressure at the station .was registered at 55 lbs., but out. at. the scene of the fire the pressure only warranted the using of, g-ineh nozzles, whereas it is stated that what were really required were 1-j-inch or 14-inch nozzles. Three leads using 800 feet, of hose were run out. and the brigade worked solidly for six hours. Five fighting was made more difficult, by reason of the faet. that corrugated iron walls ahd roofing iron collapsed and was acting as a shield against the water.

’ The . building, which Was a twostoried one, contained a large quantity of expensive machinery, while the .joinery room was full of joinery made up and partly made up. A large quantity of Oregon pin“was also destroyed. The building, plant and stock were insured in the ißnyal. -Exchange, "Office for £2250. but- it is stated that- the company will be heavy losers.

About, a dozen men had been employed in the building, although up to quite recently more had been employed., Several of the workmen lost tools in the fire, one man, it is stated, having lost £3O worth. Inspector Hugo was in, town last night and made his animal inspection. He was interviewed bv a Star reporter this morning, but while he declined to make any comment bn anything in connection with the fire, lie stated that, in connection with his inspection on the previous evening, lie was pleased' to see the progress that, had been made since the brigade’s reorganisation, and he had every reason to believe that, they will become a most efficient brigade.

FIFE AT FITZROY

A fire broke out in a. five-roomed dwelling in Sackville street, Fitzroy, a few minutes before one o ’elock this morning (the News reports). The house,, which was owned and occupied by Mrs Jenkins, was badly damaged in the rear portions, especially the kitchen and one spare bedroom, but the front portion suffered little. The furniture in both rooms, was badly scorched. Mrs Jenkins, who lives' in the house with her two children, was awakened by what, she thought to be an explosion, and on making investigations discovered that a fire was blazing in the kitchen. She and her two children were forced to make their escape through a window. A passer-by saw the flames and immediately gave the alarm, while a neighbour brought, a garden hose to bear on the flames and did 3ome very valuable work in keeping thp ; outbreak under control. The brigade were quickly on the scene, and it was only- a matter of a few- minutes before the fire was subdued. The cause of the fire is not known, thy only suggestion being that it may have been caused by the agency of rats. Both the house and the. furniture are insured in the Sun Office, but the amounts were not available.