A DISASTROUS FIRE.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12259, 3 June 1908, Page 4

A DISASTROUS FIRE.

Sydney, June '2. The Meadowbank Manutacturiug Company's railway carriage and general engineering works on the bank of the Parramata river were destroyed by fire at 3 o'clock this morning. The works were the? largest in the State, covering three acres. Owing to the distance from town, fire appliances were not available in time to save anything.' The total loss is unknown, but the damage in the carriage-sheds alone is estimated at £30,000. About 350 men are thrown idle. Received June 2, 9.45 p.m. The employees of the Company and a few volunfceor firemen, assisted by a lucky change of wind, succeeded in checking the fire after the main building had been consumed. Besides the valuable machinery there were heavy stocks of material, and the property destroyed included eight lavatory carriages, three tramways, and a number of unfinished railway carriages, being portions of a big contract for the State railway department. The Company had a total insurance of £28,000.