Early Fire in King

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3491, 29 October 1926, Page 7

Early Fire in King

Preceded by Heavy

Explosion

SMART SAVE BY BRIGADE At 2.30 this morning, residents in the vicinity of King Street were startled from their sleep by a heavy explosion, immediately after which, a red glare was seen with flames mounting high above the surrounding buildings. The alarm was given by telephone and the brigade was on the scene within a few minutes ot tho initial alarm, when it was discovered that the outbreak was in Messrs. Goldingham and Beckett’s garage, a wooden structure, with a frontage on King street. On the arrival of the firefighters, the flames were leaping high above the building, the roof having apparently collapsed or been blown away by the initial explosion, whilst neighbouring premises, that of the Palmerston North electro-plating works were also ablaze, the tire having, it would appear, spread across from the ceiling, so that the whole upper portion was alight. Despite the heavy rain that was falling, the flames spread rapidly, and shortly the whole interior of the shop was lit up by the red glow of the Are, which, m wood apparently as dry as touchwood, shortly afterwards got a grip of Mr. O'Reilly, plumbing works adjoining. Three leads of hose were run out in King Street, and brought to bear on the outbreak. WithU tho garage, jn which a number of valuable cars and lorries were housed, £ue fire was burning fiercely, but after subduing the portion in the immediate foreground. the firemen took a lead of hose into the building, where a number of minor explosions indicated the presence of benzine. Here in an atmosphere of smoke, steam and heat, a steady stream ot water was played on the blazing lorries. In the meantime, ladders had been erected against the front of the Elec- [ tro-plating Company’s works, and two I leads of hose were brought to bear iu this locality. The front portion of the premises only appeared to be ablaze and after a quarter of an hour’s work this was subdued, but no sooner was this achieved that the back premises burst into flames, and a fresh start had to be made here. Within half-au-hour of the alarm being sounded, however, the outbreak was completely in hand.

Fortunately there was an almost entire absence of wind. Had even a moderately strong breeze been blowing, it is not difficult to imagine just how serious the consequences might have been. Fortunately also, Palmerston North’s water pressure, usually a source of anxiety on such occasion*, was, owing to the frequent rains of the past few weeks, better than usual. No insurances were available at the time of going to press.