BIG BLAZE IN CHRISTCHURCH

Chronicle (Levin), 22 August 1947, Page 5

BIG BLAZE IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press Associat.ion)

(Per

(JllKLSTCII I IBTI, August 21. The biggest lire in i 'hristchurch for several vears gutted niore than hal1 Ihe top iloor of car body building prejuises in lower .Tigh Street tonight. The prentises were occupied by Boon and Cotnpauy. The top iioor of the building w tis stacked with tvres, seaL and other trinmiings wltieli were mostlv extensi velv dtuuaged. The Christchurch Eire Brigade made a good save of about teu trucks and cars, many new, on the ground fioor. The alarm was given by a passerbx at 7.10 p.m. When the first engim. arrixed the fire aiready had a good hold, tyres tuid paint burniug fiercel.v By 7.00 p.m. tliJ thames were shooting out of the windows on the top iioor. The pieniises coniprise three buildings, one brick and two old wooden ones. The most severe damage was caused on the top of tlie brick build big. Eanned by a steady easterly wind, the tiames llireatened firemeu from six engines who were plaving hoses on the blaze from four ladders. By 7.55 p.m. the lire was under coutrol. Firestone Tyre Distributors ' prentises which are separated from the brick building of Boon and Conipany only by a brick wall, wero undamaged. Thou sands of tyres were stacked in tlu Firestone building against ihe brick wall. No estimate of tlie damage. was avail able tonight liut the stocks destroved were probably nol as valuable as tlu veljicles saved.