DUNEDIN BLAZE

Southland Times, Issue 20015, 1 November 1926, Page 8

DUNEDIN BLAZE

THE PHOENIX FIRE A SPECTACULAR OUTBREAK DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £15,000 Though the disastrous fire in the Phoenix Company’s cardboard box factory in Maclaggan street on Friday morning may not have been the most destructive, it was certainly one of the most spectacular outbreaks witnessed in the city for many years, says the Otago Daily Times. A little after 2 a.m. one or two residents in the vicinity noticed sparks issuing from the roof of the building. A Salvation Army official and Mr S. Boreham were the first to discover the fire. Both went to give the alarm, and though they were absent from the scene for only a few minutes, on their return the flames had burst through the roof, and were lighting up the heavens in awe-inspir-ing fashion. The flames soon ran wild, and before long the roar and crackle of the fire, the crash of broken glass and falling timbers and the blood-red glare in the sky had brought many people from their beds. At 3 o’clock about 400 people in all stages of dress and undress were \ratching the awful spectacle. FLAMES 100 FEET IN THE AIR. The combined efforts of the brigade for a long time seemed unable to make any impression on the flames, which mounted higher and higher, leaping over 100 feet skywards. Sparks and ugly cinders, sufficient to set fire to the clothing of the unwary fell in cascades for fully an hour, and between 2 and 3 o’clock these fiery showers were not confined to the immediate locality. They spread as far north as Dowling street and to High street and Manse street on the other side. With such ’a breeze blowing they drifted hither and thither and it is remarkable that no further outbreaks resulted among some of the many old wooden buildings in the vicinity, which offered such an easy prey to these messengers of destruction. CITY BRILLIANTLY LIT UP. From the outset it was apparent to all that the portion of the building in which the fire was raging was doomed. Clearly the firemen’s principal task was the prevention of further outbreaks. The heat from the burning building was intense, and was scarcely tolerable on the far side of the street, while danger existed continuously in the flying sparks and at times blazing sticks which showered the roadway. The spectacle was an awe-inspiring one. One could not help being struck by the helplessness of man against such wildfire as ravaged the doomed factory, and the fact that the fire occurred in the dead of night made the sight more eerie and terrifying. The reflection lit up the whole sky, and the lurid light shed by the leaping flames picked out steeples and high buildings and threw them into bold relief, clothing them with a radiance that told those far away a story of terrible destruction. For two hours the business quarter of the city was lit by this unnatural brilliance, but at about 4 a.m. the improved pressure began to have its effect. Black, repulsive smoke clouds replaced the spectacular flames and over the darkened city streets there set a black pall, which suddenly reminded one of the terrible nature of the fire. At daybreak the smoke was still billowing upwards, and the early risers could smell a distinct odour of charred timbers. The while the inferno raged in the factory the intense heat set half a dozen May-Oatway alarms in motion, and these added to the din. RESEMBLED AN INFERNO. The Central Brigade received its first notification of the outbreak at 2.25 a.m. per medium of two simultaneous calls, so that the flames had a strong hold before the brigade arrived on the scene. The interior of the building must have been ablaze for some time then. Two motors and the electric extension ladder were quickly despatched, and even before the scene of the fire was reached it was evident from the vivid reflection and showering sparks and cinders that the fire would require all the fire-fighting facilities available. When the brigade reached Maclaggan street the building was an inferno, the three floors being well alight. It was apparent at the time that the fire must have had its origin in the rear of the premises. It was early realised by the superintendent that the best that could be done was to prevent a spread of the flames to the newer premises which were cut off from the blazing building by a single brick wall. With this end in view lines of hose were run out and attention was concentrated on the older building, the firemen working valiantly under hazardous conditions. Their efforts, however, proved unsuccessful. STILL SMOULDERING. The smouldering ruins are still occupying the attention of the brigade, and it is anticipated that they will continue to do so for a day or two. The city and suburban brigades acquitted themselves with the greatest, credit. Their excellent work undoubtedly saved the greater factory, and prevented the company from suffering an irreparable loss. The conditions under which the men were called to work were hazardous and full of risk, and the manner in which the fire was confined to the building in which it originated was a credit to Dunedin fire-fighters. It was a great save. LIGHT CASUALTIES. Considering the dangerous nature of the work the men were called upon to do the casualties were very small. Only one mishap occurred, in which Firemen Hugh Shearer and Norman Macguire were concerned. At 6.30 a.m. the first floor collapsed. The former was temporarily stunned in the fall, but Macguire escaped uninjured. Shearer’s injuries included burns to his head and hands, but after being treated by the St. John Ambulance he was not much the worse for his mishap. ORIGIN UNKNOWN. Complete mystery surrounds the origin of the outbreak. It would appear that the fire started in the rear of the long building, but beyond that absolutely nothing is known, and no clue to the mystery has yet been found. On Thursday night the last employees left at 9 p.m., from which hour a night-watchman was in attendance, making periodical rounds of inspection. He was through the box factory at 1 a.m., and throughout the night never left the premises. When the factory was locked up for the night everything was in order. About 70 persons were employed in the factory, the majority of whom were girls. It is feared that some of these will be thrown out of work temporarily, but the manager considers that the majority of them will be found something to do in the meantime. The factory not only supplied the company’s requirements, but catered for a large outside trade. Houses on the hill above, in Canongate, suffered no damage, though the heat was terrific, and large volumes of smoke swept upwards and enveloped the hillside. The only casualties reported were in the fowl runs, where not a few hens suffered death from suffocation. THE INSURANCES. The whole of the company’s buildings are covered by insurance in the Excess Company of London to the value of £56,000, in addition to which the owners have provided a strong fire reserve fund of their own. The loss suffered could not be ascertained definitely on Friday, but it is estimated at about £15,000. The damage, it is anticipated, will be covered by insurance as far as insurance can cover such a loss, but for all that the company stands to lose heavily.