BIG FIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 25 November 1937, Page 7

BIG FIRE

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 24. Ons of tho most spectacular fires in the'history of Auckland early this morning destroyed the motor bodybuilding works of Cavanagh and Co., Symonds Street. Tho damage is estimated at £41),000. Cavanagh’s premises are divided into two departments, the showroom and repair shop fronting Symonds Street near Grafton Bridge, and the larger building and shop at the rear. The fire broke out in the shop at tho rear. Drums of tempering oil exploded violently and columns of flame rose high over ' Grafton Gully. Among the contents of the works were eight motor-trucks and a largo petrol tanker, which was in the course of construction. Several other cars, including a big bus belonging to Mr Jones, of Te Kuiti, which was undergoing repairs, were also, destroyed. Firemen, with four fire engines, fought a losing fight against the flames, as the fire was burning, fiercely when they arrived. Only the shell of the structure remains this morning. A number of employees lost kits and tools valued at from £25 to £l5O. The front of the showroom and the repair _ shop are undamaged. Mr Charles Cavanagh said that the insurances totalled about £SOOO. The firm was experiencing one of the busiest periods in its career, having had to refuse work because of space limitations. The employees were working overtime until 9 o’clock last night and he was unable to account for the origin of the fire. He thought it might have started near the switchboard. The quantity of sawdust about the floor would probably prevent an early spread. This morning a number of coachbuilding firms telephoned Mr Cavanagh offering him the use of their premises. Most of the firm’s books were saved from the fire.