FIRE AT WOOLWICH ARSENAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3610, 27 April 1886, Page 4

FIRE AT WOOLWICH ARSENAL.

„_ ♦__ (Times.) Much alarm ami excitement was caused by an outbreak of fire at the Eoyul Arsenal, Woolwich, on Wednesday. It is customary on Wednesdays torelievotheßoyal Laboratory workmen from the now daily routine of overtime, due to the strengthening of the coaling station and other defensive works, and the department waa closed soon after 6 o'c'ook, only a few men remaining to repair machinery &c. The buildings composing tho front rnnce of the main factory vrero quite deserted at 7 o'clock, when a large jet of flame was seen to shoot through the roof. This front range is ono of the oldest erections m the arsenal, having stood for about 160 years, and, like tho other old buildings, it is largely composed of timber. It oontainß the drawing office, the rnngo-flnder factory, the shoemaker's shop, the experimental storo, nnd several other storehouses, and is m direct communication with the great factory m which about 25,000 machines aro constantly at work. The metropolitan police, who guard the Royal Arsenal, are frequently practised m fire drill, and detachments- of workmen m each department are trained as auxiliary firerhon. Within about two minutes of the outbreak water wbb being poured upon the burning buildings. The lire, had, however, spread with, great rapidity. It seemed, to have originated m a loft over the experimental store and then spread to the shoemaker's shop. A very large quantity of water was brought to bear upon the flames, and m a short timo the fire was literally swamped out. It scareoly extended beyond the shoemaker's shop, a building 100 ft. long, but its effects were more or lesß disastrously felt m the drawing office and other neighbouring places. An hour after the first alarm all doriger wag past. Arrangements will be made to transfer the work from tho damaged shops to other premises, and it is hoped that none of the workmen will be thrown out of employment.