FLAMES RISE 100 FEET IN SPECTACULAR FIRE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6864, 20 March 1929, Page 7

FLAMES RISE 100 FEET IN SPECTACULAR FIRE

/ Damage £40,000 EUMENTHOL FACTORY GOES UP IN SMOKE Australian Press Association. Received Tuesday, 8.30 p.m. SYDNEY, March 39. A spectacular fire this afternoon destroyed Hudson’s eumcnthol chemical factory and also badly damaged Grace Bros.’ large refreshment room at Glebe. The flames rose a hundred feet in tho air and there were successive explosions. Two employees of Hudson's were badly injured. Five floors were gutted The firemen did well to save Grace Brothers’ huge department store adjoining. ’ . . The damage is estimated at £40,000. Thomas McKenzie, an employee, rescued Frank Liddell, a fifteen-year-old boy, under heroic circumstances. Liddell was carrying a bottle of chemical which fell and exploded, severely burning him and setting fire to Hudson’s premises. McKenzie carried the boy down stairs but their exit was cut off by the flames which spread with amazing rapidity. He retraced his steps through the danger area and finally reached the street with Liddell who was in great pain.