GIRLS JUMP FROM BURNING BUILDING AT AUCKLAND FIRE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 5

GIRLS JUMP FROM BURNING BUILDING AT AUCKLAND FIRE.

Thrilling Scenes Witnessed When Spectacular Blaze Occurs In Factory.

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, August 20. A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE befell the girls and women who were at work in the factory of the Plummer Hat Factory, Ltd., when a destructive lire occurred there this afternoon. Escape by the stairway was cut off, and the majority of the girls had to jump through the first floor windows at the front. Many fell in trying to negotiate the fire-escape. The damage to building, stock and machinery is estimated at £IB,OOO.

The fire provided one of the most spectacular outbreaks here for many years, for the flames spread with 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. For a few minutes, the scene was one of terror stricken haste and confusion. With burns, bruises, 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 helpers, 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 twenty girls was seriously injured. Workers’ Terrifying Experience. Many of the workers were able to get out quickly, but the plight of more than half of the girls who were at the front of the building was very different. 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 en veloping the foot of the ladder. Firemen spread a sheet for the girls to jump into when they were still crowded at the bead 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. The fire escape became unusuable before all the inmates of the blazing building 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 is estimated that the total 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.