FIRE IN CITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 10

FIRE IN CITY

NORTHERN ROLLER MILLS oatmeal plant damaged OUTBREAK ON TOP FLOOR GOOD WORK BY BRIGADE Considerable damage was done by a fire which broke out just beforo ten o'clock last evening in tho oatmeal department of the Northern Rollor Milling Company's mill in Fort Street. Tho fire brigade was able to confine the outbreak to the top floor of tho building, where it had originated, but a largo quantity of water penetrated to tho two floors below. The building, a three-storeyed brick structure with timber floors and an iron roof, is between tho main storage portion of the mill and tho high stone retaining-wall at the back of tho property. Tho fire was discovered among the machinery on the top floor, and when the brigade arrived the flames had a strong hold in tho lining of the roof., Two leads of hoso wore taken up the stairway and a third directed on to the outside of tho roof from tho hill above, an engine having been sent to Emily Place for that purpose. The top floor windows and a skylight soon broke' under the heat, and dense volumes of smoke poured from behind the main mill building, attracting a fairly large crowd of onlookers to Fort Street and Emily Place. The firemen had a rather difficult task in the smoko and darkness of the interior, but eventually got the firo under control after a portion of tho roof had been destroyed. Some trouble was caused by particles of burning material falling down tho numerous wooden chutes leading from the milling machines on tho top floor to those on the floors below. These minor outbreaks were put out by tho use of chemical extinguishers. The damage to the milling machinery, which has much wood in its construction,' could not be exactly estimated last evening, pending a full inspection, particularly as the only light available on the top floor was that of lanterns and torches. Considering, the large amount of inflammable material in the building and plant, the brigade did good work in confining the fire to such » small area.

The store adjoining, which communicates with the oatmeal department through a fireproof door on each floor, was not affected, and men with brooms succefeded in preventing water from entering it. The insurances on the oatmeal building and its contents total £17,200, made tip as follows: —Building, £6000; machinery, £11,000; merchandise, £2OO, They are equally divided between the New Zealand and South British offices.