DAIRY FACTORY BURNED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 7

DAIRY FACTORY BURNED

SKEET ROAD TOTAL LOSS BRANCH OF PHIAMA COMPANY. LIGHTNING THOUGHT TO BE CAUSE ELECTRICAL STORM IN THE NIGHT. > The Skeet Road branch factory of the Pihama Dairy Company was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. ~ The outbreak was first noticed about 4 a.m. by the wife of the manager, Mrs. Seagar, who heard a crackling and saw a glare. She roused her husband, but .the flames already, had possession and nothing could be done to prevent the building being reduced to ashes. ■ The manager used buckets of water to safeguard his residence and the factory cottages but as there was little wind they escaped danger. A considerable 'quantity of cheese was in store and was destroyed. ! It is understood that the loss -of the building, plant and stock is partly covered by insurance. The building was l a wooden-walled structure erected over years ago. A new curing room was .‘added' not long ago, and recently the directors decided to rebuild the remam'der of the building. The outbreak is believed to have originated at the north-west corner of the building at the end opposite the boilerhouse, ’ where two previous outbreaks ‘were suppressed in the- early stages. It 'is thought the fire was due to lightning striking the ironwork of the budding, as an electrical storm had been raging during the night.