DISASTROUS FIRE

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 9

DISASTROUS FIRE

HUGE WOOL STORE RAZED VALUABLE STOCKS DESTROYED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, September 25. (Received September 25, at 2 p.m. One of the biggest wool stores in New South Wales was destroyed by fire this morning when flames razed the Goldsbrough, Mort Company’s seven-story buillding at Pyrmont, a quarter of a mile from the centre of Sydney, The damage can only be estimated at present, but the estimates range from £750,000 to £1,500,000. Approximately 80,000 bales of wool were burned. Two firemen were injured in a long battle with the flames, which are still barely under control. A wall of the building, which has a frontage of about 400 ft, crashed across the street, injuring the two firemen. The flames extended to the premises of Messrs Pitt, Son, and Badgery, which house 100,000 bales of wool, but were extinguished substantial damage could be done. A line of goods trucks at Darling Harbour, adjoining Pyrmont, and the goods station itself were reached by the fire, which has also been controlled in this quarter. It is understood that the insurance is carried by several companies.

SCENE OF DESTRUCTION SYDNEY, September 25. (Received September 26, at 2.30 p.m.) The amazing scene of destruction attracted the attention of thousands of spectators. The police drew; a cordon right round the block. Only one wall of the Goldsbrough building is still standing, and it is in danger of crashing at any time. A vast pall of smoke obliterates almost everything in the vicinity. There are occasional bursts of flame, but the danger of their spreading to other premises no longer exists. Cinders are falling in many parts of the city a considerable distance from the scene of the fire, which was the most disastrous for many years.

30,000 BALES DESTROYED SYDNEY, September 25. (Received September 25, at 2 p.m.) The representative of the Goldsbrough, Mort Company states that 30,000 bales were destroyed in the fire. The total damage to the wool store was £750,000, which was fully covered by insurance. The bulk of the wool was awaiting sale, but a portion had been sold but not yet delivered. It seems to have been established that the fire was smouldering during the night and broke into flames when a draught was caused by opening the doors in the morning. Fifteen brigades arrived, but had absolutely no chance.