DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18651, 21 August 1930, Page 8

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN AUCKLAND.

HAT FACTORY DESTROYED. EMPLOYEES LIVES ENDANGERED. By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, August 18. A destructive me occurred in the city late this afternoon, when the three-storied bncx factory of the Plummer Hat Co., Ltd., was destroyed, together with stoex and macninery, the total damage being estimated at. £IB,OOO. The fire provided one of the most spectacular outbreaks here for many years, for the flames spread witli amazing rapidity, and the fire burned for about two hours. It was also a most thrilling blaze, for at first the lives of seventy employees were endangered. A terrifying experience befel girls and women who were at work in the factory when the fire broke out. Escape by the stairway was impossible, because the seat of the outbreak was or. the ground floor, close to the main entrance. For a majority, the only way out was through the first floor windows at the front of the building. Urged on by the menace cf the quickly spreading flames, many of the girls fell in trying to negotiate the fire escape, a vertical iron ladder, or jumped from windows. For a few minutes the scene was one of terror-stricken haste and confusion. With burns, bru ses. cuts, concussion and shock, nearly twenty of the girls were in a condition requiring first aid. But for the splendid efforts made by the firemen and voluntary helper, who were promptly on the scene, the consequences for many of the occupants of the blazing building would have been far more serious. None of the girls were seriously injured. Many of the workers were able tu get out quickly, but the plight of more than half of the girls who were at the front of the building was very differ* ent. Dense volumes of smoke, quickly followed by flames, barred their way across the landing to gain the rear windows. Their way to safety lay down the fire escape ladder in the centre of the front wall, but in a few moments the flames were leaping out of the main doorway below and enveloping the foot of the ladder. Firemen spread a sheet for the girls to jump into when they were still crowded at the head of the ladder, with the flames threatening to cut them off. Some of the most serious injuries were caused by several girls being knocked from the ladder by others who jumped when the fireescape became unusuable. Before all the inmates of the blazing builidng had made their exit, the rapid spread of the flames increased the difficulties of the firemen, and one party had to make a hurried rush to Safety when one of the walls collapsed on to the roadway. It was estimated that the to tal loss is £IB.OOO. the stock and plant being worth £14.000. The insurances on the stock total £9OOO, and those on the building £4OOO.