SEARCH FOR FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 7

SEARCH FOR FIRE

DILEMMA OF BRIGADE. SMOKE, BUT NO FLAMES. To know that there was a fire in a block of buildings but not be able to locate it was the unusual experience of the Pahiatua Fire Brigade one night last week. Returning to her premises after the theatre, Mrs. 11. E. Beales, ot Main Street, found smoke seeping through the floor close to the wall partitioning the adjoining premises of Mr. A. C. Paget, saddler. The brigade was summoned, but on forcing the door of Mr. Paget’s premises found all in order inside. ° Only smoke fumes growing denser convinced them that theic was an outbreak somewhere. The offices of Mr. J. D. Wilson, a door further along the street, were then entered, and although there was no sign of flames, extreme heat was detected under portion of the floor in the centre of the building. On the oilcloth being torn up it was found that flames weic about to burst through the floorboards, the joists and stringers having been almost consumed. A hose played on the fire quickly quelled it. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery, but it is surmised that rats were responsible. It was fortunate that the outbreak was discovered so early, as the block is an old wooden one.