DAMAGE OVER £l00,000

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 27, 3 February 1939, Page 8

DAMAGE OVER £l00,000

FIRE IN WELLINGTON

DESTRUCTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BUILDING

NEARBY PROPERTIES WIPED OUT

[ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON’. Feb. 2. Illuminating a large area with a light almost like the sunrise, the most disastrous fire experienced in Welling-ton for many years wrought destruction in Aitken Street, nearly opposite Parliament Buildings, during the early hours of this morning. The chief sufferer was the huge and partiallycompleted State building, or Social Security Building, the wooden framework of which burnt like tinder, and the structure was completely razed. The damage to this building exceeded £lOO,OOO.

Extending to the opposite side of the 60ft. street, the intense heat and flames from flying debris also destroyed two largo wooden dwellings, the two-storied brick residence of Mr. Justice Reed and another brick building containing four flats A threestoried modern concrete block of flats was gutted, its inmates, like others from adjoining residences, only escaping with ligo’ clothing through the back gardens. Aitken Street oting a mass of flames. The bitumen surface showed signs to-day that it was alight. Although there were some narrow escapes, no serious personal injury is reported. The big State building was commenced 18 months ago and was being finished internally ready for the occupation of the new department. Its exterior was covered with inflammable building felt as a preliminary to plastering. The fire seemed to have a strong hold when the first alarm came at 2.44 a.m.. and every Wellington brigade concentrated on preventing the spread of the flames as the main building was doomed. At its height the fire was an awesome sight and at one stage, fanned by a strong southerly wind, a wall of flames stretched right across Aitken Street from the Social Security building. The Prime Minister. Jit. Hon. M. -I. Savage, slated this afternoon that a site on railway laud on the Aotea Quay had been made available for temporary premises for the Social Security Department. It would be cleared this afternoon and a building completed by March 31. It would be of a temporary nature, the reason for choosing Aotea Quay land being to enable the permanent reconstruction of the State building on the site of the fire. Mr. Savage declared that the Social Security Scheme would not be delayed. The Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, said his department was definite that temporary quarters would he ready at the time stated.