BUILDING GUTTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 24 November 1939, Page 9

BUILDING GUTTED

NIGHT BLAZE IN CITY HEART OF WELLINGTON SPREAD PREVENTED WORK OF 40 FIREMEN (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The biggest fire in Wellington since the Victoria street blaze of eight months ago broke out about 8.30 o'clock last night and gutted the engineering and machinery works of Messrs. J. C. Riddell and Company, Limited.

The building, which was of three floors and of concrete and brick construction was situated in Edward street, a small lane running at right angles to Herbert street off Manners street in the centre of the city.

Forty firemen fought the blaze for more than two hours before it was finally quelled. As the building was in the heart of a closely-built block of warehouses and manufacturing firms and only a short distance from Manners street shops, spread of the fire might have brought disastrous results. The brigade, however, was on the scene within two minutes of the alarm being given and. though faced from the start with a difficult task, for the fire had obtained a good hold before the alarm was given it was aided by the absence of wind.

The building was constructed about 32 years ago and for nearly 16 years lias been owned and occupied by Messrs. Riddell and Company.