DESTBUOTIVE BLAZE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 217, 12 August 1940, Page 6

DESTBUOTIVE BLAZE

MOTOR VEHICLES LOST. BIG EIRE AT LTJMSDEN. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Aug. 12. Seven large motor-buses owned by the Railway Department and ' tlie large concrete garage in winch they were kept at Lumsden were destroyed by fire early this morning. The garage, which was directly behind and close to the main business buildings of the town, was well ablaze when the outbreak was discovered. The total loss is estimated at £20,000. With neither a water supply nor fire-fighting appliances available, the population of the town quickly gathered and could do little but watch. The blaze was visible for many miles. The fire was discovered about 12.30 a.m. by tho postmaster (Mr A. , LUpchurch), who was awakened by the excited barking of a small dog in the neighbourhood. He and Mr T, Small arrived at the fire simultaneously, but there was nothing they could do to save any of the contents of the building. . POST OFFICE THREATENED. They broke through the main doors, but the building was full of choking smoke and they were iorced to withdraw.

< It is thought the fire started near the back of the building, but the cause is a mystery. The last person known to have been in the garage was the driver of one of two taxis which were destroyed, and he left at 8.30 p.m. on Saturday. As the fire became more intense the danger to the main business buildings became apparent, and the rear wall of the Post Office was seriously threatened when a crack developed in the back wall of the garage, which at the same time showed signs of an alarming lean outwards.

Heavy props hold the wall erect, however, and the Post Office escaped. The building was owned by Mrs MacPherson, of Invercargill. The insurances were not available this morning. It is understood the Railway Department carries its own insuranoe. LOSS OF EQUIPMENT.

Fortunately there was little or no 'wind at the time. The Josses included workmen’s equipment, records, stores, and spare parts. The building was hired by tho department from the trustees of the estate of the late Mr John MacPherson, of Lumsden. There will ho no serious dislocation of the road services as a result of the fire. Two buses have been brought from Dunedin to serve the Manapouri-Te Anau-Hollyford area, and a hired bus is carrying out the school trips today. The department has other depots at Garston and Edendale. The Queenstown service is not affected as the run is made direct from Invercargill. This is the third occasion railsay buildings in Lumsden have been destroyed by fire. The railway station has been burned down twice. There are no suspicious circumstances in the present ca9e.