JOINERY FACTORY GUTTED

Evening Star, Issue 19790, 14 February 1928, Page 3

JOINERY FACTORY GUTTED

DAMAGE OF £7,000 FIREMEN OVERCOME BY HEAT [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, February 13. Fire to-night destroyed the joinery factory of Thomas Clements, in the Great South road, Otnhuhu. Tho damage is estimated at £7,000, and a number of the employees will be thrown out of business. The fire originated in the engine room on the ground floor of a large two-story wood and iron building, and had a strong hold when tho brigade arrived. A huge crowd assembled from miles around, tho flames leaping to a great height, and being seen many miles away. Adjacent dwellings were threatened, but the demolition of a shed made an effective fire break. Great pieces of machinery crashed through the upper floor, and in a short time the building was completely destroyed. Only yesterday the plumbers were engaged in installing an automatic fire sprinkling device, which was not completed at the time of the fire. Clements employs 130 hands, but only a few will be thrown out of employment. The building and contents were insured. Several firemen were overcome by the heat, and had to receive first-aid treatment.