STATE JOINERY ABLAZE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1979, 9 February 1914, Page 7

STATE JOINERY ABLAZE

■ —• —* GREAT CONFLAGRATION IN SYDNEY. ■ ' I ORIGIN A MYSTERY, By Telegraph—Press Association—'Cowricht Sydney, February 7. A fire, which is still raging, lias almost wholly destroyed the State joinery works, and great stacks of timber, covering three acres in Rozclle. . The damage is roughly estimated at between ■t'oO.OOO and .-£70,000. The weather is very hot, and a Stiff breeze is blowing Tho fire burned with tremendous rapidity. Houses opposite tho side street aro endangered, and their furniture is being hurriedly removed. The works and'stock are fully insured. Two hundred and fifty men will be temporarily made idle. A FIERCE CONFLAGRATION. (Roc. February 9, 0.-50 a.m.) ' . Sydney, February 8. The origin if tlvo fire is a mystery, Tho watchman made his founds shortly before tho'outbreak, and everything. Was then apparently right. _ The possibility of spontaneous combustion is heing discussed. Though tho fire brigades arrived on tho scene quickly, the water supply for a time was poor, and within half an hour tho whole of tjie yard was ablazo. The heat was so intense that tho firemen were unablo to fight tho conflagration at close quarters, • and confined their efforts to preventing the spread of the flames to tho adjoining premises. The inmates of the houses across the street made a hurried esit, lightly dad. Tl|e houses were scotched, but the furniture was saved. Ten horses were saved just before tho (lames caught tho stables. The heat kept-the great crowds which had assembled at a safe distafi.ee. Only a small shed, and a few stacks of timber w-cro saved. Tho buildings and timber were insured fe>r £41,155, Arrangements have been made to carry on tho business at branch works. Many, private firms have also offered their assistance, and some have b.eeti accepted. The Director of Public Works is making arrangements so that the progress of public works may bo affected as little as possible. .