Blaze at Te Kuiti

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 6

Blaze at Te Kuiti

HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED Per Press Association. TE KUITI, June 23. Fire completely destroyed the Lime Company’s carbonate plant, the second largest in the North Island at an early hour this morning. The burnt-lime kilns and plant situated only a few yards away from the fiercely blazing building remained intact and are operating this morning. It is impossible to estimate the damage at present, but it will run into many thousands of pounds. No water was was available and the brigade were forced to stand by and watch the building burn. The burnt-lime kiln building was in great danger for the flames were tending in that direction and until they closed the sparks were pouring in through the open windows. The carbonate plant was capable of an output up to 150 tons per day. The origin of the fire is not known as it is understood the power was switched off and the only fire in the building was extinguished overy night. The building which was destroyed held a huge quantity of lime and the machinery comprised three grinding mills, two generating crushers, six electric motors, a large generator and subsidiary machinery.