FREEZING WORKS BURNT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8653, 11 February 1914, Page 6

FREEZING WORKS BURNT

HEAVY LOSS AT PATEA MIDNIGHT BLAZE CAUSES £IO,OOO ■ DAMAGE. Press Association. HAWERA, February 10. The main portion of the Patca Meatfreezing Company’s works at Pa tea were destroyed by fire at midnight last night. Three hundred carcases of sheep and thirty cattle were burned. The insurances are £2500 on the building, £2500 on the plant, aud £IOOO ou the stock.

Special to the “Times.” WANGANUI, February 10. The fire at tho Patca freezing world broke out shortly before 12 o’clock, last night, aud the buildings destroy., ed comprised tho preserving works with its valuable machinery and stock, the slaughterhouse, containing a largo number of carcases of sheep and cattle, aud tho manure and tallow stores. On tho alarm being given a number of firemen and citizens rushed tho manual engine and reel to the scone, but the fire already had a tremendous hold. Huge columns of smoke and flame were whirling into tho sky, and tho heat was terrific. BURNING MATTER HURLED SKYWARD.

An eye-witness states that now ami again an explosion would send piece* of fiery material hurling skywards, accompanied by myriads of sparks. The smell of burning meat greeted tho nostrils,' and streams of boiling tnlloiv flowed outwards.

The engineer on duty at the works, Mr Spun-, had known nothing of the fire until the flrehell rang out the alarm. This was due to the fact that his portion of the works is situated some distance .from the seat of the conflagration. On realising the position he immediately aroused the stockman, and together they released the sheep and cattle, which were having rather a warm time, as they were penned at the hack of the works. Tbo books were got out of the’office, ami on the arrival of the brigade an effort was made to check the flames from spreading. FIRE DEMON IN POSSESSION.

Gallantly the little brigade worked under Foreman Glenny, but the fire demon was already master of the greater portion of the building. Hundreds of carcases were burning, and these, together with the burning tallow, made a sight that was magnificent and awe-inspiring. Scores of men were soon working. 1 hard saving the tinned meats, hides, and tallow, about. £SOO worth being salvaged. Some excitement was occasioned owing to a rumour that a few barrels of spirits Were stored in the preserving works, and those working around the burning buildings anticipated an explosion. However, the barrels were located and brought out before the flames reached them. Another band of workers, saved about £4OO worth of tallow. Fortunately the wind was in the right direction or nothing could have prevented the destruction of the outlying buildings, including the freeze r itself. Had the latter been destroyed some £IO,OOO worthy of mutton and beef would have been burned. As it Is the damage and loss to the company will, it is estimated; amount to £IO,OOO, and eighty men will h* thrown out of work.