THOUSANDS LOST IN MILL FIUE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 8

THOUSANDS LOST IN MILL FIUE.

MELBOURNE BLAZE THAT DEFIED BRIGADE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 25, 11 a.m.) MELBOURNE, February 25. Damage in excess of £250,000 was done by fire which completely gutted the flour milling establishment of John Darling and Sons at Albion. From the outset, the fire brigade had little chance of saving the mills owing to the extremely poor water pressure. The soldiers’ settlement in the vicinity of the mills narrowly escaped destruction. Large stocks of bran and flour were also destroyed. The mills were claimed to be the most modern in the southern hemisphere.

HUGE FIRE IN SUGAR FACTORY.

(Received February 2.5, 11 a.m.) ADELAIDE, February 25. A tremendous fire broke out at the Glanville works of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, where there was a stock of raw sugar amounting to 15,000 tons. It is estimated that £750,000 worth of sugar was destroyed. The damage to building and plant is estimated at £IOO.OOO.

WOMEN HELP SAVE STOCKS OF FLOUR

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 25. 1.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE, February 25. 1 )arling's fire was one of the largest ever witnessed in the State. A strong wind and poor water supply made the fight extremely difficult. Ten men were in the building at the tirue of the outbreak. All got away safely except two on the top floor, who escaped by sliding down the grain shoots. Hundreds of voluntary helpers assisted and these included women, who lumped bags of wheat. Large stocks of flour are still ablaze.