Fire Destroys Waikiekie Line Works

Northern Advocate, 6 March 1945, Page 2

Fire Destroys Waikiekie Line Works

Tj'IRE TOTALLY DESTROYED TIIE J MAIN BUILDINGS AND MAIN PLANT AT THE WAIKIEKIE LIMEWORKS, WAIKIEKIE, EARLY THIS MORNING. The fire, which is believed lo have started in the electrical switchboard, occurred shortly before 1 o’clock and spread rapidly, the main buildings soon being completely enveloped. All the buildings, with the exception of the office and the blacksmith’s shop, were destroyed and machinery housed in the buildings was also lost. Destruction of the works, which were the largest in the Middle North, represents a most serious blow to primary production in the wide district served by the Waikiekie Lime Company Limited. With the -shortage of fertiliser, the need for lime has become even more acute. The demand has been continuous and the works in' common with all other lime companies, had in recent times found, it impossible to give delivery on any fixed date. Sales of lime and stock last year amounted to £21,334, £15,000 Xvas distributed in wages or paid for material and there was a profit on the year’s operations of £6162. Recently the company obtained additional plant from England to enable it better to cope with the demand. Damage Over £IO,OOO Arriving at the works at 12.30 a.m. this morning, the early morning shift of employees found flames completely enveloping the engine-room in the mill, which was boarded with dry match-lining. An attempt to' fight the flames was immediately instituted by employees living adjacent to the building, but the fire had too strong a hold, and the attempt was abandoned. With great rapidity, the fire swept through the buildings, demolishing them and their contents completely in an hour and a-half. Damage is estimated at between £IO,OOO .and £12,000. New plant mounting to a considerable sum had been installed just recently, among the new machinery being a 150 h.p. three-cylinder Diesel engine, which was awaiting coupling up to an electric generator, and although given its trial run had not actually been placed in operation. The buildings and plant are reasonably well covered by insurance with Lloyd’s of London. Average weekly . production of the works was 400 tons. Orders up to 10,000 tons of Hme are awaiting fulfilment, and the small stock which is on band is not ncarfy sufficient to • meet the quantity required.