SEVEN BUSES BURNT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 189, 13 August 1940, Page 6

SEVEN BUSES BURNT

GARAGE DESTROYED BLAZE IN LUMSDEN LOSS THOUGHT TO BE £20,000 [ Per Preaa Association. ] INVERCARGILL. Aug. 12. Seven large ..iotor-buses owned by the Railways department and a large concrete garage in which they were kept in Lumsden were destroyed by fire early to-day. The garage, directly behind and close to the main business buildings, was well ablaze when the outbreak was discovered. The total loss is estimated at £20,000. With neither water supply nor fire-fighting appliances available the population could do little but watch. The blaze was visible for many miles. The fire was discovered about 12.30 a.m.. by the postmaster. Mr. A. L. Upchurch, who was awakened by me excited barking of a small dog. He and Mr. T. Small arrived at the fire simultaneously, but there was nothing they could do to save any of the contents or the building. They broke through the main doors, but the building was full of choking smoke and they were forced to withdraw. It is thought the fire started near the back of the building. As the lire became more intense, danger to the main business buildings became apparent and the rear wall of the post office was seriously threatened when a crack developed in th' back wall of the garage, which at same time began to lean outwa: Heavy props held the wall erect, an the post office escaped. Losses include workmen's equipment, records, stores, and spare parts. The building was hired by the department from trustees of the estate of John Macpherson, Lumsden. It was insured for £6OO with the Phoenix office. There will be no serious dislocation of road services as a result of the fire. Two buses have been brought from Dunedin to serve Manapouri. Te Anau. and Hollyford, and a hired bus carried out school trips to-day. The department has their depots in Garston and Edendale. The Queenstown service is not affected as it runs direct from Invercargill. This is the third occasion the railway buildings in Lumsden have ben destroyed by fire. The railway station has been burned down twice.