FIRE AT MEAT WORKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 8 January 1944, Page 2

FIRE AT MEAT WORKS

WOOL DEPARTMENT at waitara New Plymouth, Jan. 7. A disastrous fire which broke out in the wool-cleaning and drying store of Thos. Borthwick and Sons’ works at Waitara at five o’clock this morning completely demolished the main twostorey building of that section of the vvorks and gutted two other singlestorey bays adjoining. No estimate of the value of the buildings, plant and stock affected could be given to-day by the manager, Mr P. J. Allen, nor of the insurances covering the damage, but a survey of the destruction suggests it must run to several thousand pounds The buildings themselves represent a considerable amount, but the contents, including expensive plant and stocks, are by far the greatest loss. Killing was proceeding as usual to-day, and e' r ery effort is to be made to maintain production and to keep faith with the farmers. An endeavour is being made to dry the wool in the open, and it is hoped that the fine weather will hold. The buildings affected involve the works in the temporary loss of approximately 24.000 feet of floor space Inoin f jori i P thr stores hiirnt were about 1200 bags of lime, 1000 wool packs, 119 arums ol sodium 64 baies ol wool, and bout 30.0001 b of loose wool representing two days’ killings. 13.044 lamb and 1209 sheep pelts. 6437 green pelts and 2524 skins. Among the plant damaged by fire were two Petrie wool driers, one of which was a recent installation. When the fire was discovered by a nightwatchman there was a sharp crackling sound and dense smoke. The place then almost instantaneously burst into flames, which enveloped the whole of the store and quickly spread to the adjoining bays. A call was made on the New Plymouth Fire Brigade. No explanation of the cause of the fire could be given to-day.—P.A.