RAILWAY FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23491, 31 October 1939, Page 6

RAILWAY FIRE

LARGE TIMBER SHED BUILDING DESTROYED FLAMES FANNED BY WIND RRIGADESMEN'S HARD TASK Fanned by a strong south-westerly wind fire swept through a large timber .shed in the Auckland railway yards near the locomotive shed yesterday afternoon and destroyed the building. Efficient fire-fighting work saved an adjoining building containing many drums of lubricating oil, but sparks carried by the wind caused a blaze in a near by timber stack. The fire in the stack was brought under control with slight damage. The timber shed was valued at about £SOO and was not insured.

An engine-driver noticed a fire burning iii the south-western corner of the timber shed shortly after 1.30 o'clock. The alarm was immediately given, and was answered by two fire engines from the Central Station and one from Parnel. Their task, however, was hopeless from tho start. Adjoining Building Saved Tiie building was an old wooden structure, which for many years served as engine shed at Thames, and was brought to Auckland about five years ago. The dry wood of the building and the contents of kindling timber for the locomotives burned furiously and in little more than 30 minutes tho structure was practically razed. Firemen, who received assistance from railway employees, made strenuous efforts to prevent the fire in the timber shed from spreading to the store containing oil and running gear, which was separated only by a partition. Fortunately the end of the shed near the partition housed iron equipment, which acted as a fire-break against the stacks of burning timber.

Timber Stack Catches Fire At 2.15, when the outbreak in the slfed had been brought under control, it was found that sparks had been carried about 30ft. to a stack of dry timber, also intended for the locomotives. The stack, which was about 40ft. in length, caught fire in the centre, and the flames quickly gained a hold. Several leads of hose could by then be spared from the fire in the shed, and the outbreak was subdued in less than 30 minutes, having been confined to minor proportions by the firemen. Thick clouds of smoke came from the stack and men playing leads of hose close to the seat of the fire required gas-masks. No Delay to Trains

The many leads which stretched across tile railway tracks prevented locomotives moving from the shed, but no delay to schedules was reported. The engine for the afternoon express to Wellington had by good fortune moved from the yard to prepare for its journey before the fire broke out. An engine which was to haul a heavy goods train to Frankton was held in the yard, but was finally able to leave when a hose was lifted high above it as it moved along the track.

BOARDING HOUSE LOSS COTTAGE ALSO BURNED OTHER PLACES IN DANGER POWER SUPPLY CUT OFF [by telegraph—OWN* correspondent] PAEROA, Monday The Railway Boarding House, a 14roomed two-storey building, and a small four-roomed cottage adjoining, situated in Junction Road, Paeroa. were destroyed by fire early this afternoon. The fire, fanned by a westerly gale, quickly enveloped the buildings. The flames carried over 100 ft. across the roadjvay toward the railway line. Electric wires on the roadside were burned through, and an electric transformer stand on the opposite side of the road was ignited. A large coal and firewood shed over 50ft. from the cottage caught alight, but the outbreak there was extinguished by the fire brigade after only slight damage had been done.

The verandah of the Paeroa Hotel, over 200 yds. away, was set on fire by a spark, but little damage was done. The boarding house was owned by Mr. Bruce Lowe. who. with his family and several boarders, lost everything. The cottage was owned and occupied by Mr. Gordon Fisher, junior. Most of the furniture was saved by early arrivals on the scene. The boarding house and its contents were insured for £SOO and £250 respectively. The cottage was not insured.

The damage to the electric-power lines and transformer caused a break in the power to the Hauraki Plains and portion of the borough. Power to the Hauraki Plains was restored quickly by the Thames Valley Power Board staff by isolating the damaged length. OUTBREAK AT GASWORKS DESTRUCTION OF TAR [bt telegraph—own correspondent] WAIHI, Monday Fire broke out in the tar distilling plant at the back of the municipal gasworks and on the eastern end of the plant shortly before one o'clock this afternoon. About 100 gallons of tar were destroyed, but tho distilling plant will not be affected in any way. Fortunately tho high wind prevailing was blowing in an easterly direction. The Waihi fire brigade soon had the (lames under control.

DAMAGE TO WASH-HOUSE SMART WORK BY BRIGADE Minor damage was done to an attached wash-house at the home of Mr. D. B. Mackersey, Hiriri Avenue, Renin era, when a fire broke out shortly after three o'clock yesterday afternoon. The inside walls and the ceiling were burned. Smart work by brigadesnien from the Rcmuera lire station prevented the outbreak from spreading to the rest of the house, which is owned by Mrs. Culford Bell.