FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

Thames Star, Volume LIX, Issue 16736, 12 March 1926, Page 5

FIRE AT TAIHAPE.

FOURTEEN CARS DAMAGED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAIHAPE, March 12.

. About 10 o’clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in the vulcanising room of Smith and Walker’s Garage in Tui Street. It spread rapidly to the paint shop, and then to the main building, which was of brick and concrete. The fire brigade made a prompt turn out, and soon had water under high pressure playing on the fire. The garage was packed with motorcars and a lot of new stock which had just arrived. Volunteers got to work: at once and removed all except 14 cars to the street, working under great difficulties, owing to the dense smoke and stilling fumes. All the stock was also removed, but the 14 cars which could not be moved were damaged By the fire. The conflagration spread to a shed on the Methodist Church property at the rear of the garage, and this was gutted. The shed contained a number of tables used at flower shows and bazaars, and these were destroyed. Fireman H. Ceilings' was overcome by smoke and fumes, and had to receive medical attention. / Mr. Ernest Walker, one of the proprietors of the garage, was badly burned about the arms when attempting to salvage the cars, and his face was also scorched, necessitating medical treatment. The Brigade eventually suppressed the flames, which had been fanned by a strong breeze, and made a good save, confining the damage to the vulcanising room, the paint shop, and the 14 cars. The vulcanising room adjoined the benzine store, and there was always the possibility of a disastrous explosion, but the brick walls withstood the heat. The insurances are not yet available, and the extent of the damage has not yet been assessed.