FACTORY FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21922, 4 October 1934, Page 10

FACTORY FIRE

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE DONE RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES STANLEY STREET OUTBREAK FOOTBALL MATCH' THRILL Fire which broke out at the premises of Nicholls Brothers, Limited, range makers, Stanley Street, at yesterday afternoon, spread with remarkable rapidity. The building .was damaged extensively, and machinery and stock valued at about £3OOO suffered to the extent of about £IOOO. The loss to the proprietors, Messrs. F. C. White and G. Luckman, who have been associated with the firm for over 30 years and took over the business about five years ago, is serious, as the machinery and stock were not insured. Mr. White also lost £ls in notes, the money being burned with his coat, which was hanging in the motor room. The building, which is owned by the former proprietors, Messrs. H. Nicholls and S. Nicholls, is believed not to bo covered by insurance. Wind Assists Flames The fire occurred at the south-west corner of the "building in the room housing the electric motor. It was seen first by Mr. Luckman, who rushed into the room, switched off the electricpower and salvaged his new motorcycle. Owing to the fact that the roof consisted of wood covered with a waterproofing substance, which had later been covered with corrugated iron, the flames spread quickly. A strong westerly wind and the open nature of thq building also assisted in fanning the flames. The small motor room was completely destroyed and the fitting shop adjoining, a room 100 ft. by 50ft., was considerably damaged. Machinery, including expensive drills and emery wheels, and about 12 ranges, also suffered from the severe heat. The moulding shop, 100 ft. by 50ft., which runs at right angles to one end of the fitting shop, was damaged to a lesser extent. Difficulty For Firemen , Two machines from the central fire station attended the outbreak, and the brigadesmen were handicapped by the distance of the building from the street. A 500 ft. length of hose had to be taken by a circuitous route from Stanley Street. Another lead was brought from the right-of-way leading to Carlaw Park. It was not long before the fire was under control, but the high wind for some time caused the recurrence of minor outbreaks in various parts of the wide expanse of roof. The flames were prevented from spreading to adjacent factories. The fire, from which a thick column of smoke issued, provided an additional thrill for spectators watching the League football match at Carlaw Park between the visiting Australian club team and the combined Ponsonby team. Boys playing in a curtain-raiser match feared the fire might spread to the sheds and offices of the Auckland Rugby League, and they 'left the field to get their clothes from the dressing sheds. BOWSER HOSE IGNITED THREE PEOPLE RECEIVE BURNS [FROM OUR OWN correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday The danger of exposing naked lights in the vicinity of a benzine bowser was demonstrated at Gordonton on Monday evening. . A lorry owned by Mr. W. O'Hearn, of Gordonton, and driven by Mr. W. Hodge, had called at Mr. A. G. Parfitt's store, and the driver had the lorry's benzine tank refilled. As Mr. Hodge was pulling the nozzle of the bowser hose out of the tank a passenger' in the lorry threw down a lighted match. The hose burst into flames. Miss E. Saxton, who was employed in the store, received painful burns on the arm, Mr. W. O'Hearn, jun., was burned on the arm, and a schoolboy, A. Carswell, was burned on the leg. The flames were smothered before much damage was done. The burns suffered by the three people were not serious, and after receiving medical treatment they were able to return to their homes. BOARDING HOUSE DESTROYED ISLAND BAY LANDMARK [by telegraph—press association] "WELLINGTON, ■Wednesday A wooden building known ns the Blue Platter tearoom and boarding house at Island Bay was .totally destroyed by fire in the early hours this morning. Built 26 years ago, it contained 20 rooms, and had been a landmark every since. A contract had been let for its renovation, and, in preparation for the work, all furniturp had been removed. The building, which was the property of the G. H. Baylis estate, was insured for £IOOO in the Guardian Office.