TIMBER STACK ALIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17985, 10 January 1922, Page 4

TIMBER STACK ALIGHT.

MISHAP AT WESTFIELD.

SOAP COMPANY'S PREMISES. A fire broke out at tbe Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company's works at Westfield at about 7 p.m. yesterday, and but for the timely arrival of the Onehunga and Otahuhu fire brigades it is probable that serious damage would have been caused to the buildings and plant. As it happened, however, only a lean-to shelter used by the workmen, and a quantity of box timber, were destroyed. Tho damage is estimated at £50. The fire originated in the distillery, being attributed to spontaneous combustion, and ignited the woodwork in the lean-to. The flames spread to ♦ the timber stacked close by, and this was soon' a burning mass. Being fanned by a light breeze, the flames coon worked their way to the manager's office, the boards of which were quickly on fire, but theso being pulled down by the workmen and the firemen, further damage was averted. By this time two leads of hose were playing on the main fire, and after a little more than half an hour's work the flames wen practically extinguished. All the buildkigs at the eoapworks are of concrete, and this assisted in limiting the damage done by the flames, Eighteen years ago the soap works were destroyed by fire, the buildings then being of wood. The works are situated only a little distance from a large chemical works.