MANY INJURED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 9

MANY INJURED

AUCKLAND TIMBER YARD FIRE CONSTABLE’S PLUCKY ACTION MAN RESCUED PROM BURNING BUILDING [ Per Tress Association.] AUCKLAND, March 6. Sixteen people were injured, including several firemen, eight being taken to hospital in ambulances, and eight people, including five firemen, being treated on the spot in the fire at the timber mill of D. Galdie and Sons. Ambulance workers were summoned from all parts of the city. A station was established near the fire, with a hospital doctor in attendance. None of the hospital patients are in a serious condition. Those admitted to hospital were: Robert Matthew Wigmore, fireman, severe burns on the hands. Eric Bright, fireman, burns on the hands. James O'Sullivan, motor-driver, vice-commodore of the Victoria Cruising Club, shock. Constable Douglas George Kilgour, aged 21, single, slight shock. Constable Kilgour was discharged to-day. He heroically rescued Mr. O’Sullivan from the Victoria Crusing Club building while he and other club members were valiantly endeavouring to save the club records. Club oilicials were tidying up the building after a picnic when the fire was discovered. Learning that a man was in danger, Constable Kilgour, without waiting for the firemen to douse his clothing, rushed across the burning ramp and entered the lirst floor of the burning building, dragging Mr. O’Sullivan out of a committee room. The damage is estimated at £lO,000, insurances being about £7OOO. A heavy column of black smoke followed by fierce flames leaping 10 feet into the air, informed citizens of the fire. A cordon of police held back thousands of spectators, while 30 firemen waged a three-hour battle against the flames before mastery was gained.

When four engines arrived the flames were rising from almost every section of the mill. For the first quarter of an hour the firemen endeavoured to prevent the flames spreading to the yards of Shipbuilders, Limited, on the northern side and protecting the bulk store of the Vacuum Oil 'Company Proprietary Ltd., on the opposite side. The main danger point was the Vacuum Oil stores. When the firemen arrived smoke was rising from the roof. They immediately hosed the building. Clouds of steam arose and when an inspection was made the oil inside the store was found to be warm. They gave immediate attention to that and probably saved a stili greater disaster. INCIDENTS BEFORE FIRE BOYS CHASED FROM YARD TWO MEN ALSO SEEN ( Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 6. Mr. D. W. Evans, a boiler engineer employed by a neighbouring firm, told an intervviewer that he chased a gang of boys aged from 10 to 12 out of Goldies timber yard about 6.30 p.m. At the same time he saw two men, who are alleged to be methylated spirits addicts emerge from the gate leading to the timber yard further down the road. He found that the office window had been broken and the office reduced to a shambles. When he passed the yard about an hour later he saw a burst of smoke directly behind the office and fire bursting from a pile of shavings which was as high as a house. A huge sheet of flame shot up so he rushed to the street fo the fire alarm.