FACTORY FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22917, 21 December 1937, Page 14

FACTORY FIRE

MOUNT EDEN OUTBREAK EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WORKMAN'S INJURIES COURAGE OF EMPLOYEES Caused by a pile of upholsterer's flax bursting into flames, an outbreak of fire at the furniture factory of the Farmers' Trading Company in Mount Eden Road yesterday morning destroyed one of the buildings and considerablv damaged some machinery. The extent of the financial loss to the company will not be known until today, but it is thought that damage to the extent of several thousands was done. The whole factory and its contents are insured with the South British office for £19,000. Bravery was shown by one of the staff, Mr. Alfred Broadhead, single, aged 24, of 18 Warwick Avenue, who was severely burned after disregarding his personal safety in order to telephone the alarm to the Central Fire Station. Another member of the staff, Mrs. T7. Parsons, also showed considerable courage in assisting other members and going to the help of Mr. Broadhead.

Sudden Burst of Flames About 10 men and boys were employed in the portion of the building which was destroyed. They were working alongside a pile of upholsterer's flax when at about 9.25 o'clock it burst into flame and spread to other parts of the building more rapidly than the flax could be dragged away from danger points. After attempting to prevent the spread of flames for some time the workmen were forced to look to their own safety and abandon the building.

In the meantime Mr. Broadhead had run to the telephone to warn the fire brigade. He put his call through but when he turned to make his escape he found his way blocked by a wall of flame. He tried to run through this and had almost reached safety when he collapsed in the doorway. He tried to roll out, but his rescue was really effected by Mrs. Parsons, who dragged him into the street. Employee Taken to Hospital Mr. Broadhead was taken to the Auckland Hospital by a St. John ambulance and was reported last night to be suffering severely from burns about the back and from shock, although his condition was not regarded as serious. Several other workmen had to be treated at the factory for minor burns suffered in their attempts to hold the fire in check. Mrs. Parsons and another female employee were working in a room behind the upholstery department, which was in the upstairs portion of the building. They heard cries and Mrs. Parsons, thinking one of the men had been injured, opened the communicating door. She was confronted by the flames and immediately turned and ordered the other girl out. Later this girl said that had it not been for Mrs. Parsons keeping cool and assisting her, she would not have been able to win through to safety.

Firemen's Good Work Engines from the Central and Mount Eden stations answered the call, but so rapidly did the flames spread that when tho firemen arrived within a few minutes of receiving ths call the floor was ablaze from end to end. The fire was also threatening a rear building, in which more valuable plant is contained, and the firemen had to attack the burning part from both front and rear. They quickly got it under control and saved the main building. It was stated later that the original outbreak was believed to be due to spontaneous combustion. Although the factory has been particularly busy fulfilling Christmas orders, and although the fire destroyed the upholsterer's department, and the cabinetmaking and assembly room, the company does not expect to be much inconvenienced by the outbreak. The assistant general manager, Mr. W. Calder Mackay, stated that most of the Christmas work had been completed and the remainder would be attended to in the main building. The workmen employed would not lose any work. Mr. Mackay also expressed appreciation of the efforts of the firemen. They had done remarkably good work in preventing tho spread of the flames to the rear building.

OUTBREAK AT HEALTH CAMP DESTRUCTION OF EQUIPMENT [by telegraph—press association] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday The children's health camp at Akaroa was extensively damaged by fire early this morning, when a 20-roomed house which had been leased for three months by tho Sunlight League caught alight. ' The house was furnished only yesterday and was completely stocked with all essentials for maintaining a largo party of children. It was regarded as the most complete camp ever established. All the equipment was destroyed. Arrangements were made to-day for tha use of the school for the camp.