FIGHT AGAINST FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21349, 25 November 1932, Page 10

FIGHT AGAINST FIRE

TASK IN HTKURANGI MINK

ERECTION OF STOPPINGS ■ m

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FEARED

[by telegraph—own correspondent]

"WHANGAREI, Thursday

The fire which broke out in the Hiku. rangi Coal Company's mine at Hikurangi early yesterday morning was still raging this afternoon, but was under control this evening.

Mr. J. Makinson, manager of the mine, has been controlling the fire fighting practically without cessation since he arrived from Auckland yesterday afternoon. Interviewed this evening, when he cam® to the surface for food and a brief spell, he stated that the fire was the worst had ever experienced in his mining career, during which he had seen many fires. It was by far the most serious that had occurred in the Hikurangi mine, he said. Although still raging the fire was now being controlled and was thought to be dying out. This, however, could not be determined until to-morrow, when a permanent concrete stopping will hav» been completed. Smoke and Fumes From the top of the hill overlooking the mine this afternoon the only indication of the great struggle that was going on below the surface was a stream of smoke and fumes ascending from tha fan shaft. These fumes were noticeable in the township of Hikurangi, which is about three-quarters of a mile away. The fumes discoloured metal fittings in the com-

pany's office. Yesterday 2400 feet of two-inch galvanised iron piping was run up the west side to the stopping, which is erected across the main haulage road and water was turned on. Ther6 was a pressure of 1001b. to the inch and three jets throwing water a distance of 30 feet Tver# turned on the fire and the immediate surrounding area. In the meantime the necessary material for constructing concreU stoppings were taken down the mine.

Work in Intense Heat

Since early yesterday morning ther® have ljeen uninterrupted efforts to extinguish the fire, but it was not until an early hour this morning that the approximate extent of the fire area could be ascertained. As a result of the determined efforts of the manager and those associated with him from the commencement of the trouble it was possible this morning to commence the erection of a permanent concrete stopping and so block off the fire area. It is expected that this stopping will be completed about midnight.

It is possible for only about eight men to fight the fire at a time and shifts containing this number have been working since early yesterday morning. An ample supply of fresh air is being fanned to the men in tho affected area, but the heat of the. fire is intense. The men are working in a manner worthy of the highest traditions of their calling. No Normal Work This Week The affected area is new and is about 32 chains from the bottom of the shaft, the latter being 350 ..feet from the surface. The smoke from the fire area is not affecting any other portion of thi

mine. The underviewer, Mr. A. Terviit, who was in charge of the mine during Mr, Makinson's absence in Auckland, has had a most strenuous experience. He was 01 duty in the mine from four o'clock yes terday morning until 1.30 this morninj and resumed work again at 6.30. The total number of men normally »em ployed in the mine is 144 and of thai number over 100 are idle. Eighteen minen are engaged in hewing coal for the boilers.

Mr. Makinson stated this evening that the mine will not resume normal working conditions this week. The amount of the damage cannot be estimated at present, but is believed to be extensive.