Huge Fire in Sydney Wool Store Razed

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 227, 26 September 1935, Page 7

Huge Fire in Sydney Wool Store Razed

DAMAGE OVER £750,000

United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

SYDNEY, Sept. 25,

One of the biggest wool stores in New South Wales was destroyed by lire this morning, when flames razed Goldsbrough, Mori's seven-storeyed building at Pyrmont, which is a quarter of a mile from the centre of Sydney. The extent of the damage cannot be estimated at present.

Approximately 50,000 bales of wool were burned and two firemen were injured in a loug battle with the flames, which are still barely under control. A wall of the building, which lias a frontage of about -100 feet, crashed across the street, injuring the two firemen.

The flames extended to premises of Pitt, Son, and Badgery, which house 100,000 bales of wool, but avere extinguished before suost-autial damage could bo done.

A lino of goods trucks at Darling Harbour, adjoining Pyrmont, and the goods station itself, were reached by the fire which has also been, controlled in this quarter.

It is understood that the insurance is carried by several companies.

Scene of Destruction

SYDNEY, Sept. 20

An amazing scene of destruction resulting front the tire in the Goldsborough, Mort wool store attracted the attention of thousands of spectators, and the police have drawn a cordon right round the block. Only one wall of the Uoldsbrough building is still standing, and it is in danger of crashing at any time. A vast palL of smoke obliterates almost everything in the vicinity. There arc ooca ; sional bursts of flame, but the danger of a spread to other promises no longer exists. Cinders arc falling in many parts of the city a considerable distance from the scene of the tire, -which is the most disastrous for many years. Extent of Damage.

A representative of Goldsb rough, Mort states that 50,000 bales of -wool were destroyed by the tire. The total damage to tho wool and store is £750,000, which is fully covered by insurance. The bulk, of the wool was awaiting sale, but a. portion had been sold, though not yet-delivered.

It seems to have been established that the tiro had been smouldering during the night and broke into flames when a draught was caused, by opening tho doors this morning. Fifteen fire brigades arrived, but had absolutely no chance.

30,000 Bales Destroyed

Received Wednesday, If p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 25.

Thirty thousand bales of wool valued at £550,000 were destroyed. The ivool was fully insured. The building, which w r as also fully insured, was officially valued at £200,000 and was completely razed. The fire still is smouldering but is under control.

Goldsbrough s No. 2 and No. 3 stores nearby were saved and only minor damago u r as done. Arrangements have been made with the R-oval Agricultural Society for the use of the show ground building for tho accommodation of the large consignments of wool now coming forward from the country.

Three firemen and four civilians were injured and taken to hospital, but after treatment they were allowed to icave. A goods tram standing on tho Darling Harbour siding caught tire owing to tho intense heat, but tho lire was subdued before it obtained a strong hold.

The roads, footpaths and a portion of the railway siding were extensively damaged by the falling white hot.walls and flying sparks. To-day’s wool sales were not seriously interrupted by the lire and il is not feared there will be any shortage of wool.