FREEZING WORKS RAZED

Southland Times, Issue 23735, 6 February 1939, Page 8

FREEZING WORKS RAZED

Spectacular Blaze At Masterton

BORTHWICK’S PLANT GUTTED

BRIGADES’ LONG BATTLE WITH FLAMES (United Press Association) MASTERTON, February 5. The most serious fire in Wairarapa for 20 years completely gutted the slaughter, cooling and beef rooms at Thomas Borthwick’s freezing works at Waingawa at seven o’clock on Saturday evening. Although the fire was outside the Fire Board’s area, the Masterton and Carterton brigades battled three and a-half hours against the flames, using an auxiliary water supply pumped from the rear of the burning buildings, and but for their splendid efforts, the fire would have swept the whole plant. The flames made a spectacular sight, which drew more than 1000 motorists to the scene.

It is believed the fire originated in the drying room where the men hang their overalls over the hot pipes. It is supposed that heat ignited matches left in a pocket;of a suit of overalls. The effect of the fire will be very serious on Wairarapa farmers, as this was the busiest season at the works for 10 years.' • ' ‘ 9

Officials of the firm tonight were unable to estimate the total damage. Mr P, J. Borthwick, a director, said: “We are starting again in 10 days’ time and arrangements are being made for drafting and-killing elsewhere on Tuesday.”

All that remained of the slaughter rooms, cooling chamber and beef room today was a tangled mass of twisted iron and charred woodwork.