DISASTROUS FIRE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 152, 23 March 1921, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE

THE PATEA GRADING STORES

Referring to the disastrous fire at the West Coast Refrigerating Company's grading works, Patea, the "Taranaki News" says:— A destructive fire, involving the loss of a portion of the Patea grading stores and damage to 28.000 boxes of butter, broke out about 4.30 o’clock pn Monday afternoon, and was still burning early on Monday night, though the outbreak had been got under control. The scene of tho fire was the West Coast Refrigerating Company's grading works, situated near the wharf, the building comprising tho engine-shed, a two-storied wooden building housing- the butter, and a two-storied concrete structure containing the cheese. The seat of u-„ n-tbreiik was the enlgi no-shed, and from here the flames broke through the .4. ••,-.•>d rapidly to the wooden building, which wits soon enveloped in flames. The Eire Brigade was quickly on the scene, and a determined attack was made on the fire, but the building burned furiously, and it soon became evident that the structure would be destroyed. Eor several hours the flames swept the structure until only the shell remained, but the efforts of the firemen were successful in confining the fire to this build, ing which by night was a smouldering shell. The building is quite beyond repair, but the estimated loss and the insurances are not available. Inside. WP, ' P stored the 28.000 boxes of butter, but the produce is enclosed in rooms. walled by pumice, and these prevented the fire reaching the butter. It is thought, however, that much damage will have been caused by water and The vahm of this butter is approximately .2196,000, but it is too early yet to estimate to what extent this valuable quantity has 6 The cheese section of the works in the concrete buildin® i« intact.