FIRE AT GREENMEADOWS

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 74, 31 July 1929, Page 5

FIRE AT GREENMEADOWS

WINE CELLARS DESTROYED. BLAZE AT MISSION; HOUSE. NAPIER, Last Night.. Fire completely gutted two wine cellars at Mount St. Mary's mission station, Greenmeadows, four miles from Napier, to-night and destroyed 24,000 gallons 'of wine, valued at £24,000. The Napier fire brigade was called to the scene about 7.30 p.m., half an hour after the outbreak, but the task was a hopeless one from the .bginning. The only water that was to be had was from a creek 300 yards a,Way from, the seat of the fire. The flames had such a hold when the brigade began its operations that all attempts' proved fruitless, and atterit-. ion was sxiccessfully txirned to the saving of the adjoining buildings. The outbreak is believed to "have had its beginning in the fusing of an electric wire in the ceiling of one of the cellars. The flames consumed the roof, which collapsed, and then barrels holding the wine took fire. "When the wine bunst out it formed a stream tba/t flowed out into the roadway. A quantity of wine was bottled and cased and the straw fed the flaqnes. It is understood that the insurances on the buildings and wine, which are held by the United Office, will not nearly cover the loss. Much of the wine was prepared for export. The mission is conducted by the Marlst Fathers, which is well known for its grape-growers and wine manufacturing. Be prepared.—See that you have adtqnate Fire Insurance. Consult the Ocean*. Accident and Guarantee Corporation. Petrie's Buildings, next to Evans, Furnisher.—Sydney Ward, representative.