THE INVERCARGILL BLAZE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19195, 11 June 1924, Page 7

THE INVERCARGILL BLAZE.

FIRE STILE BURNING. ADJACENT STORES SAFE. (Pee United Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, June 10. The fire which broke out in tho Imperial Oil Company’s building in Spey street on Monday afternoon, completely destroying the stock and building, continued to burn ail day... In the early morning a strong winci suddenly sprang up, and the flames, which were still leaping to a great height, threatened danger to the Vacuum. Oil Company’s store on the opposite side of the street, in which were stored over 40,000 cases of petrol, approximately 1110 cases of kerosene, and 20,000 gallons of lubricating oil. One-third of the Vacuum Oil Company's premises are of brick and the remainder of corrugated iron, but danger to these premises, however, was lessened by the fact that the front portion of the store is used to house the stocks of lubricatjnp oil, which is not nearly 6f such an inflammable nature as the motor spirits or kerosene. Nevertheless, it was necessary for the brigade to keep a strict watch on these premises, to which drifting sparks formed a constant source of danger. As the day advanced the fire abated in its intensity, and the flames gradually subsided. All day long a dense column of smoke drifted over tho town. It is probable that tho fire will continue to burn for some time yet, but the danger which was threatened to nearby buildings is past On inquiry at the hospital it was ascertained that Mr F. G. Smith, who was injured while endeavouring to check the fire m is early stages, is making satisfactory progress.