FIRE ON TRAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21765, 3 April 1934, Page 8

FIRE ON TRAIN

TRUCKS DESTROYED FOUR GOODS WAGGONS NO WATER TO FIGHT FLAMES Four waggons on the tlirough goods train from Wellington to Auckland were destroyed by fire at Ohaupo, between Te Awamutn and Hamilton, shortly before eight o'clock last evening. Tho lire was noticed at Lake Road station, about two and a-cjuarter miles south of Ohaupo, and the trucks, which were immediately behind the engine, were uncoupled from the rear of tho train and taken to Ohaupo, and run into a siding. As no water supply was available nothing could be done and the trucks were destroyed, only tho chassis being left. The first truck was of the open type ond contained fertiliser, but the others were box waggons loaded with pears, household furniture and straw. The cause of the outbreak is not known.

After taking the burning waggons to Ohaupo the engine returned to Lake Road and picked up the remainder of the train, which carried a few passengers on this section of the route, arriving at Frankton about three hours late. The daylight limited express from Wellington was delayed by the accident and arrived at Auckland at 12.20 this morning, nearly an hour and a-half late. Special trams were run for the convenience of passengers. WAIPUKURATT HOMESTEAD LANDMARK OF DISTRICT [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] "WAIPUKUBAU, Monday A 10-roomcd homestead, an old landmark in the Waipulntrau district, the home of Mr. J. McLennan, was totally destroyed by lire last night. The local siren sounded an alarm three miles distant, but firemen could not operate. The insurances, if any, are not available. The home was known as Eylands.