FIRE AMONG BENZINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18169, 15 August 1922, Page 6

FIRE AMONG BENZINE.

BRIGADE'S SMART SAVE. AN EXPLOSION AVERTED. OUTBREAK AT HAMILTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.) HAMILTON. Monday. Splendid work under trying conditions, with a considerable element of danger, was performed by the Hamilton Fire Brigade at a fire which broke out in a shed containing 2000 cases of benzine, owned br Mr. F. Farrejl, in Palmerston Street this morning. Employees were working near the shed, and one of them struck a match to light a cigarette. Flames immediately burst out and ran toward the shed, igniting the contents. The brigade was summoned by telephone, and turned out in 12 seconds. Two leads of hose had to bo carried fully 300 yds., and a good pressure of water enabled the brigade to get the fire under control in a few minutes. Even then scmo cases were smouldering, and with great gallantry the firemen and many civilians dashed into the building and carried them out.

The level of the floor was below ground level, and in a short time there was several feet of water in the building, and firemen and helpers were drenched to the skin. There was a grave danger of an explosion occurring at any time, but the brigade persisted in its work, and at last had' the satisfaction of extinguishing the outbreak. . Until the cases are opened it is dinicult tc say how many were destroyed, but it Mas probablv confined to about 50. The benzine was" insured, but the shed was not insured.