SERIOUS FIRE AT AUCKLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 32, 7 February 1919, Page 4

SERIOUS FIRE AT AUCKLAND

BYDROFT’S FLOURMILL AND BISCUIT FACTORY. (United Press Association., AUCKLAND, Feb. 7. ; A disastrous fire broke out in the city just before midnight, resulting in the complete destruction of the biscuit factory and flourmill of Bycroft Ltd. The building contained very valuable machinary and milling plant, the latter, alone being valued at £7OOO. The fire is now (0.50" a.m.) under control. The damage (w(li ayfich 'many thousand!?. The insurances (are in the New Zealand office. THE LARGEST FIRE OF -REGENT. YEARS. AUCKLAND, This Day. The fixe at Bycroft’s Mill was one of the largest in Auckland for a number of years .It broke out in the electric switchboard, next to the bag room beneath the office. This portion of (he building comprised flour and wheat storage floors. No wheat was in stock, the mill having' been. closed down for the past fortnight. There was. how-' ever, a fairly extensive stock of flour, all of which is believed to have been destroyed. In this part of the building ' also, was the company’s valuable grinding machinery, only installed' last year at a cost of £4OOO. This is thought to be a total loss. j In the biscuit factory at the rear was an expensive' modern plant and stock of' biscuits. Apparently all this portion j escaped, though there is loss through water soakage. , A hundred hands are employed, some of. whom will be thrown out of employment. , THE INSURANCES. AUCKLAND, Thk Day. , The insurances on Bycroft’s total £40,000 in the New Zealand) Insurance Co. Whichhas distributed it. ■ . ..."