STILL BURNING.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2393, 11 June 1924, Page 7

STILL BURNING.

BUT KEPT WITHIN BOUNDS.

FIGHT WITH INVERCARGILL FIRE.

[Per Press Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Last Night. The fire which broke out in the Imperial Oil Company’s building m Bpey street,, on Monday afteifnoon, completely destroying the stock and building continued to burn all day. In the early morning, a strong wind suddenly sprang up, and tho flames which were still leaping to a great height, threatened danger to the Vacuum Oil Company’s Store on the opposite side of tho street, in which were stored over 40,000 cases or petrol, approximately 1110 cases or kerosene and 20,000 gallons of lubricating oil. Onei-third of the Vacuum Oil Cornpan’s premises are of brick and tho remainder of corrugated iron. The danger to those 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 an inflammable nature as the motor spirits or 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 tho day advanced the fire abated in intensity and the flames gradually subsided. All clay long, a dense column of smoko drifted over the town and it is probable that the fire will continue to burn for some time yet. but the danger which threatened to near-by buildings is past. On inquiry at the hospital, it was ascertained that Mr F. G, Smith, who was injured while endeavouring to check tho 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 cvrossling, his injuries proving fatal before his arrival at the hospital.