FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 539, 21 June 1909, Page 7

FIRES.

■ ■. 'A BLAZE IN A COAL YARD, a Vv FIREMEN'S 'NARROW ESCAPE:;' , (By'Telcsraph.—Press Association.) ',"'■''■''•"■ Dunodln, June 19. ■:' At midday to-day on employee noticed that the coal stored in Mr. John Mills's, chief coal store' (near the wharves) was smouldering. The brigade was summoned, and when it arrived de<Bse smoke was issuing from under the wooden joists of a tin building on the closed side, and the whole yard on the open side was black with it. The horse3.had been safely removed from ' the stable without a stampedoi There were about 2000 tons of coal of all kinds in store, but the seat of the outbreak was deep in a pile of 600 tons of Blackball coal, some of which had been there for eighteen months. This ooal was prosum-. ably dry,'but, had evidently got warm.and' .ignited spontaneously. Two firemen promptly olimbodin under the joists to reach the seat of the trouble,, aiid another man had -just descended from the ladder 'when the whole of the wall collapsed and fell outwards, and buried the ladder. The supports of the wall hay been, partially burned through, and the enormous pressure of tho'coal along a'face of 40 yards had carried it clean away. The two men up above were not hurt, but had there been anyone on the ladder he must : have been killed outright. Meantime the men had been shovelling the coal clear on the other face, and a strong pressure of water eventually reached ■the centre of the firo and quelled it.- The damage done was estimated at about £150. The promises and contents were insured in the New Zealand and Standard offices. ■ :, V DWELLING BURNT. •'•....•.., \ . Blenheim, June 19.. . Shortly, before midnight a fire broke out in a five-roomed cottage in High Street, owned by Mr. J. J. Wensloy and occupied by Mir. T. Malloy. The flames had a Btrong hold when the outbreak was discovered, and nothing was saved. The occupants were absent at a danco at the 1 time. The insurances are: . Hoose, £150 in the Phoenix office: Mr. Malloy's furniture and effects £75, and piano (the property of Mr. Malloy's brother) £57 10s., both in the Royal Exchange.'' HOUSE BURNT AT ASHBURTON. (By Telegraph-—Press AssocinUoa.) Ashburton, June 19. A seven-roomed house, owned and occupied by James Bruce, .at Seafield, together with tho v contents, was totally destroyed by fire on Friday morning. The house was insured for £200, and the furniture for £50 in!the'Farmers' Association office. ;