TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 174, 10 August 1937, Page 10

TRANSFORMERS DESTROYED

i Our Own Correspondent.)

Central H.B. Power Board's Loss

(Fron

WAIPUKURAU, This Day. •Damage to tho extent of at least £200 was done when fire destroyed two 3t300-volt transformers in a store-room at the back of the Central JHawke 's Bay Power Board's building in Russell street yesterday afternoon. The causo of tlie fire has not yet been ascertained, but Power Board officials assert that it did not arise through an electrical fault. It was -discovered shortly, after 1 o'clock by Mr' J. Sullivan, an employee of the board. A fire extinguisher was immediately put -into use and, as it had practically no effect on the blazo, the Pire Brigade was called out and soon had the outbreak under control, Both transformers were reeently purchased by the board from the "Wellington City Council for the Waipukurau borough, and were damaged beyond repair, They were each value d at about £100. Any further damage which may have oceurred to the electrical equipment stored in the xoom has not yet been estimated. The transformers were insured, but the seeretary of tbe Power Board, Mr G. E. Fowler, said that transformers of this type wero very difficuit to obtain in New Zealand. One had been dried out, and the other was, beihg dried out for use when required. They were aeeded because of the increasing load on the borough, and were to have been erected next week. This was the first outbreak of fire for some considerable time, and the sound of the fire siren brought all the business people to their doors, and a curious crowd soon gathered at tho scene of action.