FIRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19278, 16 September 1924, Page 9

FIRES.

OUTBREAK ON KAIKOUKA.

FIREMEN’S DANGEROUS TASK.'-/

(Peb United , Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 15,, The firemen who descended the hold of the Federal Steam Navigation Company’s steamer Kaikoura to tackle the flames had a most dangerous task. The fumes were so thick and overpowering that smoke helmets were needed, though some of the crew went into the hold with only wet handkerchiefs covering their faces. The oily copra made good fuel, and some other cargo in the vicinitykauri gum, some kauri planks, and sacks holding sand—also caught alight. ..a [ The fire, which was discovered just 11.50 on Saturday, night, was not got com-, pletely under till 3.50 on Sunday morningy. Great praise is due to all the tor the manner in which the flames prevented from spreading to the ptheF holds. In the after part of No. 4 hold there is stowed a considerable quantity' o£ oils and paints, and had these ignited : th«S-’ fire would probably have been disastrous. In tlie forward part of No. 5 hold is a large quantity of flax, but the flattnefj were prevented from reaching it was damaged by water, however. ' It was impossible to estimate the dan** age yesterday, but the loss will be heaVy. . Apart from damage to cargo, repairs will' have to be made to the ship!/ New decking will be required, and possibly'' new plates on the starboard side.- A 1 n 6# s wireless installation will also probablyhavS l to be obtained, though the emergency &C 6 was workable yesterday. . ' Gangs of men worked yesterday removinif the damaged cargo to the Harbour Board! sheds. All of it was loaded at Auckland. The cause of the fire is unknown, though general opinion ascribes it to combustion among the copra. '/ ir The Kaikoura (8371 tons) is ownedbjr/ the New Zealand Shipping Company, britr* is running under charter to the Federal* Company. . The shipping company’s superintehderrfi does not expect that the vessel, which"‘wa.A to have sailed to-day for Lyttelton, will-be-long delayed here, but she must 1 reniaici until Lloyd’s surveyor reaches a decision." 1

A FOUNDRY DAMAGED.

FINE SAVE BY BRIGADE. V’f (Fez United Pams Asbociatioe.J HAMILTON, September 15. A fire at J. J. Niven and Co.’s foundry]; caused damage to the extent of about The damage is covered by insurance. Tbs' brigade made a wonderful save, as the fir»« had a good hold when discovered. BLAZE AT FBILDING. (Pee Umtiw Fbww Absociatkm.l r FEILDING, September 15.. • Mr H. B. Burrell’s six-roomed residcnca' in West street was destroyed by fire yes-, terday. The occupants were away at the time. The fire had been burning for soma time before it was discovered. Th© insurances are held by the Phoenix and Sun, offices. The amount are not available. \ SIX-ROOMED HOUSE DESTROYED. (Pee United Psebs Association.! BLENHEIM, September 15. • A six-roomed dwelling, owned and ocon*’ pied by Mr W. Broadbent, at Springlandsj! was completely destroyed by fire yesterdayPractically nothing was saved. The build* ing was insured in the Phoenix office fop £9OO, and the furniture in the New Zea--land office for £350. The adjacent honss ; caught fire, but the brigade effected a good save, the damage done being estimated' a*n £SO. -•-, * t LOCAL OUTBREAKS, The City Fire Brigade received ’ a ,«ilf yesterday to 120 Bay View road, a hrO. having broken out in an outhouse. About £2 worth of damage was done. Hra’cause of the outbreak is attributed to playing with matches. The property in’ owned by Mrs Olsen. h »vThe brigade received a second calr 7.44 p.m. to the premises of Messrs-' H. and G. K. Neill, opticians, 95 -George" street. It was found dhat a fire- had! broken out in a two-stordV brick building' owned by Messrs Irvine andrStevenson, and* was confined to' the shop and workroom; occupied by Messrs IT. and G. K. Neill. • The outbreak had started in a= foodew' drying cupboard, which was lined - "wfiat poilite and had evidently been caused-by' someone having left a gas-nug lighted-anfc the cupboard. The fire had burned' through the floor, which also formed th» ceilincr of the shoo downstairs. Tha ; dam~ age by fire was confined to the cupboard and one room upstairs, and the* coding" of th© shop. The flames were extinguished with a fi«t-aid hose, as little water «*' possible being used on a«ountofth cate nature of the valuable stock, thewfceie of which was covered with tarpauhng by! the brigade before playing the wafer onr<the fire There was a dense smoke nIR through’ the building The stock i - ih- ■ sured in the National Company s office'fof £4OOO and the fittings and tools 'Tin-the South' British office for £ISOO. Themsttrance on the building was not ascertainable* last night. ~ M t x .