FIRE AT CITY MARKETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18678, 7 April 1924, Page 8

FIRE AT CITY MARKETS.

FRUIT CASES DESTROYEDEXTENSIVE LOSS RESULTS. SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, SEVERAL PREMISES INVOLVED. A serious fire occurred at the City Markets on Saturday afternoon, is the premises of the Fruit Case Company,' limited, which are situated near the southern end of the markets. Extensive damage was done to the stock of fruit cases held by the company, besides scans structural damage. The alarm was given just before three o'clock, and when the City Brigade arrived the company's premises were in flames. The skylights in the roof acted as an outlet and the flames shot np to a considerable height. The stock consisted entirely of made-up boxes and. shocks, and these naturally burnt easily. Although the flames had such a strong hold before the brigade could commence operations, it ■vsns strenuously attacked by the firemen, and was brought under control after an hour's work. The rain which was falling at the time prevented the fire spreading as rapidly as it otherwise might have.

The affected portion of the markets i.l of two £ oors. The fruit cases and strawberry boxes on the upper floor were practically all destroyed, but a considerable quantity of shooks on the ground floor ,was not touched by the flames. • " Where the fire was fiercest the ceiling had collapsed. Boasted Peanuts. Next to the Fruit Case Company are the premises of Somervell and Wilson, only a corrugated iron partition separating the two. Fortunately, the stock on the premises of Somervell and Wilson was a .small one, consisting of empty fruit cases and a number of sacks of peanuts. The peanuts were either roasted by the - fire or soddened by the great -quantities of water.

The premises on the other side of Somervell and Wilson am occupied by Glover and Company and Radley and Company. The stocks in both these places were damaged by fire and water, though not to the same extent as on the Fruit Case Company floors. The stocks on the upper floor were mainly bagged chaff and grain. On Saturday and yesterday men were busy in throwing the grain outside the building, as it was feared it might ;be , still smouldering in places. > ■

On the other side of the Fruit Case Company's premises were those occupied by J. Jones, auctioneer. Damage was done on the upper floor .to the. stock of bagged grain, both the flames and water being responsible. The lower floor was not touched by the fire, but the stock there < was a|so damaged by water. Construction of Building. The spread. of the Are was probably helped by the nature of the construction of the building. " The concrete partitions between each firm's premises are not earl ried right up through the roof, but are [ scalloped on the top; thus ■ there is an opening of abont a foot 'tin places between the roof and-.the partition. , It was copsi dared that- had the partitions been continued' through the roof, the'/ fire would have been confined ito t the premises where it originated.. -. The. openings - were designed ' toallow a - passage , of fresh air through the building, which always contains large quantities of fruit 'and produce. / ' '■ . . „ The damage to the. Fruit Case Company's -■ stock. is \ estimated at about the amount of the insurance, which is £15C0,. in the Norwich Union office. Messrs. Eadley and. Company's stocks and plant are insured in the Phoenix office for between £15,000 and £20,000. The Fruit Case Company was established five years ago by six "auctioneering, firms/' for 'the purpose of supplying grow-' ers with cases. The premises were merely used as - a"; depot- for distributing the boxes. \ ,\