FIRES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3278, 10 January 1917, Page 25

FIRES.

Hamilton, January s. A disastrous fire is rasing in Hamilton, the whole of the factory and timber yard of Messrs Ellis and Burnand being ablaze. The conflagration started at 5 o'clock, and it is supposed that it originated in the engine-room. Within 10 minutes the factory was a seething mass of flame, and, with a strong wind blowing, the fire lapped across the intervening road and took hold of large stacks of dried timber. The premises and yards occupy about eight acres, and at the time of wiring (8 p.m.) the occupants of the dwellings nearby were removing their furniture, while efforts were being made to save the large bulk store of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in the station yard, which adjoins. The factory was completely demolished, the only thing standing being the strong-room, with the books intact. The most serious feature is the destruction of largo stocks of butter-box timber, which requires to be of special quality and thoroughly seasoned. As Messrs Ellis and Burnand are the biggest butter-box manufacturers in flie North Island, many factories are likely to suffer in consequence, though the firm is sending clown a special staff of workmen to its King Country mills to endeavour to fulfil orders. A good deal of manufactured joinery was on the premises, and at the last assessment the stock was valued at £25.000. This was totally destroyed. The stock and premises weio insured for about £IO,OCO, mainly in the Commercial Union office. January 6. The efforts of the brigade were considerably hampered by the low water pressure, but it managed to prevent the fire spreading to adjacent dwellings. The bulk store of the New Zealand Loan Company was saved. The total damage is now assessed at £21,000. the insurances amount to £BISO, and are held by the Commercial Union Office.