DESTRUCTION OF GARAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19719, 19 August 1927, Page 10

DESTRUCTION OF GARAGE

FIRE AT AVONDALE.

EIGHT MOTOR-CARS LOST. HEAVY LOSS INVOLVED. FLAMES MAKE CLEAN SWEEP. Fire, which hroke out at About 11.30 last evening, destroyed Stuart s service garage, Great North Road, Avondale, together with eight of the nine cars which were stored in it. Residents in the locality were awakened by the sound of an explosion, probably caused by the bursting of a tin of benzine. The budding is of galvanised iron with wooden framework and when the local volunteer brigade under Superintendent Watson arrived, it was enveloped in flames. The reflection lit up the whole district and soon a crowd had gathered. Two strong leads of water were available, hut the operations of the firemen were hampered by dense volumes of smoke ma.os especially dangerous by strong rubber fumes from burning tyres. The flames were soon under control, but not before extensive damage had been done. Efforts were made to save the motorcars and the firemen managed to push two out into the street. One of these, however, was practically a mass of wreckage. The other, a Ford van, standing by the door, escaped with little damage. The six cars left in the garage were all badly burned. After the fire the remains of most of them were found resting on the metal rims, and all the hoods had been burned away. One of the cars was new, while most of the others were in good condition. It is estimated that the value of the destroyed cars is about £3OOO.

Fortunately the benzine was stored in a petrol tank underground and escaped the flames. A drum of oil in the garage itself also withstood the heat. Garage equipment, office furnishings, and equipment in a little shop attached to the garage were all either destroyed by fire or water.

Stuart's garage is the largest in the district, and is situated a few yards past the Avondale Post Office. It is understood it was closed up for the night early in the evening, and the cause oi the outbreak is a mystery.