Two Dairy Factories Destroyed by Fire in Dannevirke District

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7198, 22 April 1930, Page 2

Two Dairy Factories Destroyed by Fire in Dannevirke District

MAHARAHABA AND UMUTABOA. VALUABLE MACHINERY AND STOCK LOST. r Dairymen in districts adjacent to Dannevirke suffered a severe blow during Easter, two cheese factories, some miles apart, being destroyed by fire. The first blaze was at the Maharahara Co-op. Company’s factory late on Easter Sunday night, when the structure, a wooden building with a concrete curing room and containing five vat 3 with valuable machinery and about 27 tons of cheese, was completely destroyed by fire, which apparently started in the vicinity of the boilerroom. Efforts of a bucket brigade to save the building, which was built aboiit 3913, Were futile.

The loss •will be severe, as much valuable machinery “was destroyed, about £2OOO having been expended oii an up-to-date plant. The cheese left would have been on the rails for the Easter holidays. Arrangements have been made by "the majority of the 34 suppliers to take their milk to the Eiriiakl factory Which suffered the same fate some months back. The insurances are it6f available. The second fire occurred at Umuta* foa- early yesterday morning when the 3-vat wooden factory owned by the Dannovirke Co-op. Dairy Coy., with the plant, wan totally destroyed by fire. The manager had a look round after starting the fires in the boiler-room at about 6 U.ffi., When everything Was safe. Ho had returned to his house to prepare breakfast,' his family being away on holiday. On looking out Of his window 30 minutes later, he noticed smoke issuing from the boiler* room and Immediately summoned assist* ance but efforts to save the building Were unavailing, fortunately, the fire did not Bpread to the manager's house, Which Was situated close to the factory, but neighbouring farmers assisted in moving the .furniture from the dwelling, The majority Of the cheese from, the storeroom had been, trucked the day before. Insurances total approximately £4200, Suppliers will take their milk to a neighbouring factory.