OIL DERRICK ABLAZE
TERRIFIC HEAT. FIREMEN SCAMPER FOR SAFETY. (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. A fierce fire at 3 a.rn. considerably damaged the derrick of Moturoa No. 2 oil well at New Plymouth. The flames, fed by 20 barrels of petroleum, stored in a cellar, ran right to the top of the high steel derrick, which had' been plastered with crude oil from previous blow-outs. The heat was terrific, and the heavy steel girders and other equipment were bent and twisted. At the height of the fire an explosion sent debris over the top of the derrick, while firemen scurried for cover. It is thought that the derrick can be for use on the present site, but it will be impracticable to dismantle and use it elsewhere. One theory is that the outbreak was caused by a spark from a pulley at the top of the derrick smouldering on the oil-soaked boards till the blazing portion fell down.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19311104.2.38
Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 4 November 1931, Page 4
Word Count
161OIL DERRICK ABLAZE Northern Advocate, 4 November 1931, Page 4
Using This Item
NZME is the copyright owner for the Northern Advocate. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence . This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of NZME. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in