SPECTACULAR FIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18589, 27 December 1934, Page 15

SPECTACULAR FIRE

FEANKTON RAILWAY SHED DAMAGE MORE THAN £4OOO ‘

SEVEN LOCOMOTIVES SAVED

Damage estimated to. exceed £4OOO was caused t>y a spectacular fire wWcR occurred oti Monday m the engine shed at the FriinktOh Junction railway station Seven engines, which were m the aim when the outbreak Was first discovered, were removed and escaped daih'age. When the Hamilton Fire brigade arrived, shortly alter 3 o’clock, thh file had a good hold and the structure Was blazing "fiercely. The outbreak apparentlv originated,, in th’6 roof, wtofch M constructed of aiid A eofttabling' tar. : It was this portion of thC building-that suffered the gi-eatest damage. '?•/'. . , , . j At first- the work of the brigade was hampered by the distance of the burning building from the street Water mains. Two leads of hose were connected up, one of 800 ft. from High street, and another of 700 ft. from Queen’s avenue. A fresh north-easterly wind which was blowing - assisted the flames to spread rapidly. At the height of the fire a tall column of black smoke rose from the building and was visible for miles, The sb,ed -is situated near Queen s avenue, at the southern end Of the 'yartte, and' has accommodation for about 20 locomotives. The building is divided into two sections, each with three lines track. Hart of the structure is ni'any old, but the section nearest to Queen’s avenue has dirty been completed about six months. It whs the intention of the- Railway Department to recon- ( struct the older portion of the building in the near futiure. As soon as the outbreak was discovered two engine-drivers, Messrs. W. Clough and P. Anderson, set to work to remove the locomotives from the shed. A number were drawn out into the main, 'yards, while several were shunted otit of the Back of the shed. While engaged in this , •work the drivers had to contend, with a cloud of heavy smoke, whidh filled the shed. Other memhers of the shed staff connected several leads of hose to the department’s oWn water mains, add these were in operation When the brigade ' arrived. The private lOckert of tne staff in the shed wef| cTeafcfd in. time to prevent any IoM of property ti> the enginedrivers and firemen, ' , , A fireman, Mr. A, MiitlrtesoU, had one’ foot pierced'by rt nail and Was sent,to a' doctor foi 1 mimical tre'atiUeHt. 'Ottfer member's of the brigade received burns from falling pieces of 1 timber, aUd ortC had his helmet d&nted when a portion of the roof fell on him. .