IGNITION OF PITCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22776, 9 July 1937, Page 14

IGNITION OF PITCH

FIRE CAUSED IN FACTORY MUCH DAMAGE BY WATER NO PANIC AMONG EMPLOYEES [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Thursday Damago by fire and water resulted when pitch caught alight this morning in a building occupied by Adams Bruce, Limited, cake merchants, and Beavon Brothers, cardboard manufacturers. The pitch was being used on the work of extending a freezing chamber on the top floor of tho building and workmen stated that the fire spread rapidly and soon became out of hand. Four fire engines were despatched to the scene and lengths of hose were taken up tho main stairs. An extension ladder was used to enable the firemen to get through and remove the iron above the woodwork and the task was not an easy one. Some two hours after tho arrival of the first engine smoke still rose from the building and a largo quantity of water was required to extinguish the flames. Most of the damago 011 tho floors below was caused by water. „ , There were about oO female employees and over 20 men and youths in 'the building, but all escaped without any panic. Tho top floor was used as a packing department and for the manufacture of ice cream. Chocolate' was manufactured on tho two floors below. Most of tho damage was confined to the top floor and the roof, but the loss has not yet been estimated. The building was insured in the Norwich Union office for £6OOO. and Adams Brtico had their plant and stock covered with tho Royal Exchange office. No damage was done to the stock of Beavon Brothers.

FARMHOUSE DESTROYED OUTBREAK STARTS NEAR STOVE [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TUAKAU, Thursday Firo destroyed the farmhouse of Mr. R. Long, Kauri Road, Pukekawa, this afternoon. Mrs. Long was tho only person homo at tho time, Mr. Long and tho family having gone to Pukekohe early Jn the day. Mrs. Long was in the garden about 2.30 o'clock, when she heard tho roar of flames, and when she ran inside she discovered that tho walls near the stove, where a fire had been burning, were in-flames. After she had endeavoured unsuccessfully to summon help by telephone, Mrs. Long was ablo to save only a few clothes. The house was insured for £350 and, the contents for £IOO, both with the ■State insurance office.