HEAVY LOSS BY FIRE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 4

HEAVY LOSS BY FIRE

FREEZING WORKS BURNED

ESTIMATED DAMAGE £lOO,OOO .

By Telegraph—PreM Aerooiatfou

Whangarei, January 16.

A fire, which caused damage estimated approximately at £lOO,OOO, occurred on Saturday afternoon at the freezing works of- W. and 11. Fletcher, Ltd., situated at Rootahi (Whangarei Heads). Work for the week ceased at noon, and most of the employees were away from the locality at the time of the outbreak, which one of the watchmen discovered at half-past two. The flames then had a good hold, despite the full use -off fire-fighting appliances. The slaughterhouse, the hide floor, with frozen stock and appertaining machinery, also all the offices and a storeroom we're completely destroyed. A moderate wind which was blowing maintained a direction away from the otffier buildings, which otherwise would have been involved in total disaster.

The cause of the fire is unaccountable, unless it was due to the fusing of an electric wire. The fire means a stoppage of operations for an indefinite period, and a large number of men being thrown out of employment. The insurances are unknown here, as they are conducted through the Auckland offices of the company.

Be prepared. Insurv with The Insurance Office of Australia (The "1.0. A. AH claims nettled without vexatious delay. Wellington Office, 33 Johnson Street. —Advt.