FIRE AT DYE WORKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20890, 4 June 1931, Page 8

FIRE AT DYE WORKS.

EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.

LESS THAN ANTICIPATED. PLANT ESCAPES LIGHTLY. The fire which partially demolished Porter's Dyo Works, Market Road, Epsom, early on Wednesday morning caused less damage to the firm s plant than was at first estimated. The principal loss was suffered at the front of the factory in the vicinity of the boiler room, where it is thought the fire originated. In that area a good deal of stock and a number of articles sent in for cleaning were lost.

The fire ran quickly up through the building to the pressing and drying room on the upper floor, which was burned out. Several presses were lost on this floor, but the remainder of the plant, which was situated beneath, escaped severe damage.

Mr. W. A. Porter stated yesterday afternoop that he was surprised, considering the nature of the fire, that the plant had come off so lightly. The boiler, he stated, had already been examined and passed as satisfactory and with two additional presses which were being secuied in the city that afternoon, and a few other additions to the plant, the works would be reopened this morning.

The principal loss, Mr. Porter said, was attached to the building, but there remained enough of the roof intact to provide sufficient covering to carry on business immediately. Fortunately, the flames had not penetrated the new brick portion at the back which housed a new drying and cleaning plant. In regard to articles which were in the works at the time, Mr. Porter said the position in such cases was that the articles were nob insured, but were left at the owner's risk. A considerable portion of the goods on hand was saved from destruction, including a van-load which had como in on Tuesday and had not been unloaded.

The building was insured lor £ISOO and the plant for £950 in the Standard Office. There was also insurance on the firm's stores, but the amount was not available yesterday.