FIRE IN SHOP.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20271, 13 August 1937, Page 8

FIRE IN SHOP.

,M C KENZIE’S DAMAGED PORTION OF STORE GUTTED DENSE VOLUMES OF SMOKE. BRIGADE’S EXCELLENT SAVE. Dense clouds of yellow smoke pouring Into the reap of the retail promises of J. R. McKenzie Ltd., Victoria fetreet, more smoke and the dull red glow of crackling flames bursting from a loft-door at the rear of the goods store sent shoppers out Into the street and spectators to points of vantage at 10.30 a.m. to-day. The outbreak of fire among the goods housed In the upper floor of the store brought two Hamilton Fire Brigade engines and a full complement of men quickly on the scene. The blaze, which had gained a good hold when the alarm was given, was, however, not so serious as it might have been, though fairly extensive damage, estimated at about £3OOO, was done, and the Hamilton Fire Brigade, under Superintendent A. Craig, did good work in confining the outbreak to one -section. The cause of the fire, it is understood, was an over-heated flue, leading up from the central-heating plant at the back of the i;etail premises. Insurances totalling £15,000, covering stock and building, are held with Lloyds, Ltd., but details of the coverage are not yet known, as the policies are held at the firm’s head office in Wellington. It is believed, however, that the firm Is covered not only for general fire damage, but also for loss of profits. The rapid spread of the outbreak and the dense smoke are accounted for by the amount of rubber small goods, such as tennis shoes, stored In the part of the building where the fire first broke out. Though the flames did not penetrate to the retail establishment, minor damage was done there through water seeping through the ceiling from the upper storey, and the shop was closed this afternoon. Firemen Use Smoke-masks. Two leads of hose and ladders were employed by the brigade to quell the • flames, and the dense, acrid rubber i smoke necessitated the use of smokeI masks by the men. who were hampered In their efforts to a certain extent by the heavy stocks which j crowded the upper floor. Goods on I the lower floor were protected by the brigade’s salvage sheets from damage jby water from the hoses. Though the flames were blazing j fiercely when the brigade arrived they ) were well under control in less than ; half-an-hour, and by 11.30 a.m., *.il : that remained of the fire were the piles of charred goods, scorched and j blackened packing cases and sodden embers. Damaged stock, confectionj ery, pots and keitles, gym. shoes, handkerchiefs, underwear and miscellaneous lines lay knee deep on the floor In the vicinity of the spot where the outbreak started, but a few yards away only smoke-smuts and wet patches marked the cases antL bales of merchandise. HUNDREDS WATCH. INTEREST IN THE FIRE. VANTAGE POINTS CRAMMED. Smoke, fire, siren and speeding brigade engines never fail to cast a spell over a crowd, and an outbreak, especially when in a crowded area at a busy time, arouses immediate curiosity. Such was tho case in Victoria Street to-day when the curiosity of a few who noticed a small column of smoke arising from the premises of J. R. McI Kenzie Ltd., was stimulated with the sound of the fire siren, and soon a big crowd of people had gathered on the pavement and other vantage points. Garden Place Hill found a new use as a public grandstand. Of the 500 people who congregated on the hill perhaps only a few had been to the top before, despite the fact that it has been in the public eye for so long. There was at first a dash for Garden Place, and the crowd heeded not the fire-police, and had HI tie regard for the operations of the brigade. After the first excitement, however, the The girl employees coming out of the shop had found the smoke trying, but later they returned io Hie premises to aid the fire-police in keeping the store clear. When the customers realised that a fire had occurred they lost little time in reaching the street, but there was no panic. The siren stirred pedestrians to action all along I lie main street, and soon there was a rush for the lire. It was remarkable how quickly the people gathered. Buildings in the vicinlly were popular vantage points and office windows framed inquisitive heads everywhere. • Traffic inspectors were soon on the I streets and pvsing traffic was controlled until the crowd dispersed, so that there was no congestion. Assistants of neighbouring shops look turns in seeing Ihe fire, and it was not surprising tiiat telephone calls lo near-by offices received no response. The crowd showed intense i.itcrest in Ibe equipment of I lie brigade. Entomological Research.—Tn connection with I lie Government’s prop j- | sals to centralise entomological re - j search work at Nelson, it has been decided to transfer Ihe cniomological 'division of the Plant Bureau to Nelson.. Mr J. Muggeridge, associate director of ihe entomological division, lias arrived in Nelson. The . entomological division will be closely ' associated with 1 lie Gawlhron InsliInle. Dr. D. Miller, of Ihe institute ' staff, lias been appointed director af the division. Arrangements arc being made for the transfer of Ihe other members of Mr Muggeridge’s start’ !o Nelson and for their working accommodation. At Ihe Gawlhron Institute Mr Muggeridge has been in charge of the white butterfly parasitic control work, which lias been so -successr.il in Hawke’s Bay, and oilier parts of j New Zealand.