FIRE FOLLOWS GALE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 7

FIRE FOLLOWS GALE.

Conflagration At Australian Paper Works. SEASIDE RESORT ALSO BURNED % (Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. At the height of a windstorm early yesterday a ' fire' broke out at the Australian Paper Mills, Lane Cove River. The plant covered an area of 20 acres. This and three barges were gutted. The fir© threatened to become serious in the adjoining bush, but is believed now to be under control. Several men engaged in fighting the flames had narrow escapes. The firemen had little chance against the fierce wind which fanned the blaze. The fire is supposed to have started on one of the barges, but its origin is inexplicable. The damage is estimated at £500^000. Another fire at Woy Woy, a seaside resort north of Sydney, destroyed more than 30 cottages. The damage is estimated at £15,000. The fierce gale and the absence of fire-fighting appliances rendered the spectators helpless. During the week-end additional cottages were destroyed at Woy Woy, which bring' the total to 45. Reports arriving state that many people were injured but there were no deaths. The Coronation box factory at Redfern was destroyed yesterday by & fire which spread to adjoining houses on either side. In the factory two floors were gutted and machinery and a large quantity of timber in the yard were destroyed. The houses were badly damaged. The losses are assessed at £30,000.