ANOTHER BLAZE IN PAIMERSTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9188, 13 April 1910, Page 5

ANOTHER BLAZE IN PAIMERSTON.

PALMERSTON SASH AND DOOR

FACTORY.

.COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF

PREMISES AND PLANT

MORE SUSPICIOUS CIRCUM- • STANCES. The sixth big blaze within a week : aroused Palmerston just after four a.m. this morning. By it was completely destroyed the _ Palmerston North Sash, Door, and Timber Company's large factory in Albert street. When the Brigade received the alarm at 4.20 the fire must have had fully twenty minutes' start, for only a few minutes had elapsed before their arrival •on the scene, and then the whole building was so far gone that tho roof was .just commencing to fall in. Those who were first on.the scene declare that tho whole building burst into flame at once, and that the fire must have had at least three starting points in various parts of the large building. This being so it was hopeless to ■expect any human being to save any of the valuable machinery with wTiich the premises wero well stocked, and all the Brigade could .do was to direct attention to the saving of the timber stacked about the yard and tho large building containing stocks of glass and other material.

Fortunately tho heavy gale blowing during part of the night had dropped just before tho outbreak, and consequently the flour mill, which was uncomfortably near the scat of trouble, was kept out of danger.

Another -rillrilling spectacle was witnessed as the flames reached their zenith. There was comparatively little smoke, but great tongues of fire shot into the sky .for a distance of 70 or 80 feet, while ■the roar accompanying tho destruction of the building could be heard many blocks away, and aroused many a sleeper befircboll gave out its warning. Few buildings have been levelled to the ground with tho speed which attended this morning's work of destruction. It may have been a few minutes before four when the fire started. At 4.30 a few blackened spars and a reeling smoke stack were all that remained up right among the flames. But the Brigadesmen's work was not ended then, , for there was much fuel in the building 'in the shape of sashes and doors, wellseasoned timber, and other inflammable material. All this fed a_ roaring fire long after the factory had disappeared in flame and smoke. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. Mr W. Stratton, senr., the company's •night watchman, was, as usual, all over ihe building during the night. It was his duty to remain on the premises till .midnight, inspecting tho "bearings to see that none were overheated, and generally keeping an eye on the machinery. After that he visited the place at in.tervals till daybreak. The last visit was paid just before four o'clock, when Mr Stratton found everything in perfect order and no trace of fire. He then proceeded to his home a few doors awav, after which he made his customary inspection of the flour mill. Mr Stratton saw the blaze, and endeavoured to acquaint the Brigade of the trouble, but there was something wrong with the telephone switch, and he was unable to get connected. Mr Stratton then rushed out into the street and roused tho neighbourhood. Meanwhile the Brigade had been apprised of the outbreak from another quarter.

A very suspicious circumstance in connection. with the fire was the discovery this morning that someone had slept in the company's stables, which are attached to the glazing rooms. A number of sacks and horse covers were requisitioned by the visitor for a bed. and the remains of cigarettes were found handy. Some stir was caused in the big crowd that viewed tho destruction of the building by the news that , a man had been arrested by the police. It appears that an old fellow living in the vicinity of the fire was acting in a very peculiar and eccentric manner during its progress, and he was immediately taken in hand by the police. After being detained for a couple of hours, however, ho was released on its being discovered that he was quite harmless, and had merely allowed the fire to get on his nerves. THE FACTORYWith tho destruction of the Sash and Door Company's factory there disappears one of the links with Palmerston s early days. About 35 years ago a sawmill was erected on tho site of the f, a C" tory, and worked out the bush which then covered what is now prosperous Bunnythorpe and Kelvin Grove, and the outskirts of Terrace End. A tram-line running through what is now Tram street gave that thoroughfare its name, and supplied the mill with logs. Se\enteen years ago tho mill was converted into a sash and door factory, and turned into a limited liability company by Messrs Richter, Nannestad, and Co. It was then that big additions were made to the premises. Tho growth of tne business demanded further expansion, and four years ago the old mill was levelled and a large new structure erected in its place on the Albert street boundarv. Large quantities of new and up-to-date machinery were put in, and a big business was done, between forty and sixty hands being employed. Lately, however, the factory has been running on a very reduced staff, the company' having gone into voluntary' liquidation. Yesterday aboiffc twenty men were employed. Mr W. Lewis being the manager and Mr Woodroofe foreman. THE INSURANCES.

The building and plant were insured for £2000, and the joinery in the building for £500, both in the Commercy.,! Union. A risk of £4000 was held by the Phoenix Company on the timber in both yards, but £100 will cover the loss sustained there. '