FACTORY ABLAZE

Northern Advocate, 26 November 1928, Page 6

FACTORY ABLAZE

HEAVY DAMAGE DONE. NEW •SEASON’S SAMPLES LOST. ('Special to “Northern Advocate.”) AUCKLAND, This Day. A fire which threatened to be of a sensational nature took place on the premises of the Manchester Costume Company in Rum Street a little before noon on Saturday. Bum Street is in the gully below Eden Terrace and toward the railway line. The building, which was on lire, is constructed of wood throughout, with the exception of the roof. ••

The lire occurred on the grouaadj Boor, Which is below the road level, f and quickly got a firm hold, licking up to the second floor and to the ceiling. The City Fire Brigade was called up by a railway man, and two engines were quickly on the scene,, and within half an hour ithe fire was well in hand. Four leads of hose were run out from Burn Street and the smart action of the brigade averted heavier loss. The company employs close upon 50 bands and these left work at 10.45 a,m., 'When work ceased for the weekend. Executive members of the Arm, including Mr H. Winters, were in the; factory until a little after 11 o’clock When everything was reported to be in order and the building was locked up as. usual. Shortly after they had gone; the workroom was in flames and a passing railwayman gave the alarm. The damage is how estimated at; over £14,000. the machinery and stock is valued by Mr A. F, Mac Arthur, managing director, at £2500, and at least £9500; respectively, these were almost entirely destroyed, while the building suffered to the exteht of about £2OOO.

The insurances were: £IOOO on the plant and machinery; £BOOO on the stock And £4500 on the building.

1 Mr MaicArtiliur, wlfo was in Helensville at the time of the outbreak, retPrped by ear oh 'Saturday afternoon amd immediately made arrangements for resumption of work with all expedition. The new season’s samples were to have been cleared by the end of this week.

A large annexe which escaped damage and a spacious rear room, which suffered chiefly from smoke and waiter, will be installed with about 18 machines and Mr MacArthur anticipates that the employees, 40 of whom arc girls, will be baek'at work by Wednesday.