FIRE IN BOX FACTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 5

FIRE IN BOX FACTORY

LITTLE DAMAGE DONE A fire, which, it is alleged, was caused by sparks from a railway engine, broke out in the premises of the Atlas Box Factory in Cameron street. Kensington, yesterday morning. A grass fire started on the embankment a little after 8 o’clock, and within an hour and a-half the box factory was set alight. Apparently one of the sparks from an engine found its way into a shaving bin in the factory which, after smouldering for some time, burst into flames. The Dunedin md South Dunedin Fire Brigades curned out, and. despite two hours’ bard work, the bin containing the shavings was completely destroyed The wall of the rear portion of the building received a severe scorching The damage, however, was not extensive. the amount being estimated at approximately £SO. While engaged upstairs .in the factory an employee noticed smoke in the building, and on investigating discovered the bin blazing fiercely The brigades were summoned at 9.27 a.m. The bin. which was about 25 feet high, was used as a container for the shavings collected from the floor of the factory. The building is owned bv Mr W G Hewitt and is insured with the Queensland Insurance Company, Ltdtor the sum of £SOO The contents of the building are covered for £7OO with the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. Ltd. Another small outbreak occurred a short time later on the railway embankment, some 50 yards from the building. Seemingly, sparks from the same engine set alight the grass on the bank.