8000 Galons Of Pefro! From Soil

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1948, Page 2

8000 Galons Of Pefro! From Soil

AUCKLAND. Wed. (P.A.)— Since the fatal fire near the Birkenhead vehicular ferry terminal on December 8, more than 8000 gallons of petrol have been recovered from the soil at the Western Reclamation. The present rate of collection is about 1000 gallons a day. The city engineer (Mr A. J. Dickson) said yesterday that he expected recovery of the petrol would continue for another fortnight. The City Council has sunk five pits, each about 10ft deep, as the major part of the recovery work. Some of the pits have ceased to yield petrol since others were sunk. In addition, tests have been made by sinking well points over- a wider area to determine the most suitable recovery sites. Precautions taken in the area include prohibition of smoking, the use of wooden spades and other tools which do not make sparks, and. of hand pumps, which are safer than electric ones.

The fire trapped a ship's watchman and scowmaster, Mr Peter Barron, aged 72, who was one of a partyworking on a Freeman’s Bay wharf to secure the base of a light crane. Mr Barron suffered serious burns and died in hospital the following day.