SPECTACULAR FIRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21969, 22 May 1941, Page 4

SPECTACULAR FIRE

Brigade Has Hard Task BARRELS OF TAR OIL CREATE DIFFICULTIES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 21. Barrels of tar oil which exploded in rap’d succession created considerable difficulties for the firemen in a spectacular fire at the premises of the Distar refinery of the Auckland Gas Company in Beaumont Street, early tonight. At various stages it appeared as if the fire was wholly under control, but then a barrel of oil would burst and the contents would spread and carry the flames above the building once more. Dense clouds of smoke rose high above the city and were seen from many points. Occasionally a column of smoke would be Illuminated for a few minutes by the glare as the flames secured a renewed hold. In terrific heat which was generated from the oil, the firemen from the Central Station fought a hard battle, and the special fire fighting preparation seemed at first to have little or no effect on the oil, which burned long after the main part of the building had been destroyed. How the fire started could not be stated definitely. An explosion was heard shortly after 6.30 p.m., and in a very short time the flames had spread throughout the building and were mounting above the roof. The refining plant was housed in a wood and iron building which was gutted and the plant was destroyed,