TRAFFIC HELD UP

Northern Advocate, 16 October 1931, Page 9

TRAFFIC HELD UP

BRIDGE ON FIRE. NORTHERN TRAINS AFFECTED. (Special to "Northern Advocate.") AUCKLAND, This Day. The wooden railway bridge over the Topuni River was damaged by fire last night. Both the north-bound and south-hound trains between Auckland and Whangarei wore held up, but trains were run to schedule this morning. The bridge is about 200 yards to the south of the Topuni station, which is eight miles north of Well-3-ford, and is a large, wooden structure spanning the Topuni River, a wide tidal estuary. The fire broke out in one of the central spans and extensively damaged one of the main piles .as well as the cross beams supporting tho decking. The outbreak was first noticed by Mrs Ross.

There was nobody on duty at the station, but a bucket brigade was speedily formed and the fire was put out. Tho catiso of the outbreak is not known, but it is believed to have been accidental.

Leaving Whangarei at 3.1;j p.m., \ mixed train reached Topuni shortly after the blaze had been extinguished. The train was held at the station. The decking of the bridge was too badly damaged to allow the passengers to walk across, and arrangements were made to transfer them by road to Wellsford. Luggage, mails and perishable goods wore also transferred be

The train to Whangarei was Then despatched, a little over an hour behind the time, -but, the south-bound train was two hours and a half late when it reached Auckland.

A repair gang was put to work immediately the fire was suppressed, and by (5 a.m, today the bridge was safe enough to allow trains to cross at a slow speed.