FIRE NEAR SYDNEY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13300, 9 February 1914, Page 3

FIRE NEAR SYDNEY.

THE STATE JOINERY WORKS DESTROYED. (Press Assn.— By Telegraph— Copyright.) SYDNEY', February 7. A fire, which is still raging, almost wholly destroyed the State joinery works, with great stacks of timber, covering three acres, at Roaelle. Tho damage, roughly estimated, is between £50,000 and £70,000. The weather is very hot with a, stiff breeze, and the fire burned ,with - ; treriietidofis'rapidity, i Tho* houses ln'tthe opposite end of the street were endangered, and tho furniture Was hurriedly removed. The works and stock were fully insured. Two hundred and fifty men have been -temporarily rendered idle. SYDNEY, February 8. The origin of tho fire is a mystery. A watchman made his rounds shortly before the outbreak and everything was then apparently right. The possibility of spontaneous combustion is discussed. Though the .fire brigades arrived quickly the water supply was for a time poor, and witliin half an hour the whole of tho yards were ablaze. Tho heat was so intense that the firemen were unable to fight at close quarters and confined their efforts to preventing a spread to adjoining premises. The inmates of houses across the street made a hurried exit, lightly clad. Their houses were scorched, but their furniture was saved. Ten horses were saved just before the flames caught the stahles. The heat kept the great crowds which assembled at a safe distance. Only a small shed of a few stacks of timber were saved. The buildings and timber were insured for £41,155. Arrangements have been made to carry on business at the branch works, and many firms have also offered assistance, some of which offers have been accepted. The Director of Public Works is making arrangements so tliat the progress of public works will be affected as little as possible.