INVERCARGILL FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1039, 11 June 1924, Page 7

INVERCARGILL FIRE

BURNS ALL YESTERDAY. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, June 10. Tho fire which broke out in the Imperial Oil Company's building in Spey street, on Monday afternoon, completely destroying the stock and building, continued to burn all day. In the early morning a strong wind suddenly sprane; up, ana the flarnes which were still leapmg to a great height threatened danger to the Vacuum Oil Company's store on tho opposite side of the street, in which were stored over 40,000 cases of petrol, approximately 1110 cases of kerosene and 20,000 gallons of lubricating oil. One-third of the Vacuum Oil Company's premises are of brick and the remainder of corrugated iron. The danger to these premises, however, was lessened by the fact that the front portion of tho store is used to house the stock of lubricating oil, which is not nearly of such %u\ inflammable nature as the motor spirits and kerosene. Nevertheless, it was necessary for the brigade to keep strict watch on these premises, to which drifting sparks formed a constant source of danger. ! As the day advanced the fire abated in intensity and the flames gradually subsided. All day long a dense column of smoke drifted over the town, and il is probable that the fire will continue to burn for some time yet, but the danger which threatened to nearby buildings is past. On inquiry at the hospital, it was ascertained that Mr F. G. Smith, who was injured while endeavouring to check the fire in its early stages," was making satisfactory progress. A married man, Charles Taylor, aged about 50 years, was to-night proceeding in the direction of the fire, when he was struck by a passing engine and truck at the Spey street crossing, his injuries proving fatal before his arrival at the hospital.