FIRES AT GREYMOUTH

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1922, Page 4

FIRES AT GREYMOUTH

A SAWMILL GUTTED

(Grey Argus)

It often happens that when one alarm of fire is given it is followed by two others in quick succession. Such was the ease yesterday when the Greymouth Fire Brigade were summoned to -attend three outbreaks.

Tho first alarm was given at 10.30 a.m.. the fire being in an outhouse at the back of Mr P. Stevens’s residence ill Cowper Street. After extinguishing this blaze before the flames bad spread to the house itself, which, by the way, is owned by Miss Dolph, the Brigade was summoned to a gorse hre in the vicinity of the Columba Tennis Court-at the Town Belt, but on arrival at this quarter their services were not required., s . u

The third alarm was given at fi p.m. when a serious outbreak was discovered at Messrs Stratford and Blair’s Sawmill in Gres so n Street near the Gilmer Hotel, as a result of which the main building of the mill was gutted. The fire was originally discovered by -" r J. MeCarthv, whq resides in the vicinity of the mill- On seeing flames issuing from the upper portion of the building, he immediately gave the alarm and took the necessary steps to have the fire hell rung. It transpired later that n boy named Aldridge discovered the tire' about the same time and was going to the bell at the moment. The Brigade were quickly on the scene of the fire, and in a very short space of time bad two loads on t„ the blaze. The flames bad by tins time gained a good bold, and the inside portion of the building was burning fiercely. Fortunately there was a sufficiency of water in the reservoir and a fairly good pressure was availDespite the advanced state of the lira tbe Brigade members, after persistently attacking it for about 20 minutes succeeded in getting it well in band and finallv extinguished H altegc'lmr. The yard was practically filled with stacked timber, and as a -c----sult of the Brigade’s work, the whole of this escaped the flames. THE DAMAGE.

The manager of the mill 'Mr UTcnnent) stated last evening after the fire, that the main building of the 'mill was gutted and some valuable belts were destroyed. The machinery, however, was not seriously damaged. Referring to the cause of the outbreak Mr Teniient said it was presumed that the fire bad started as a icsult of boys occupying the upj>er room of the mill. It was a habit, lie said, for a number of irresponsible youths to go up there and indulge in smoking and placing cards on Sunday afternoon, ami on several occasions they bad been turned out of tin* place. Mr Tcnucnt said the insurance figures were not available last night, but be estimated the damage at about £SOO. Tile t rst intimation be received ol the outbreak was when he heard the bell. It is understood that the upper ro un of the mill contained 29,01)0 feel ol Pin by 2in timber which bad been dried preparatory to making doors for the workers' cottages at the Otira railway works.

THE BRIGADE'S WORK

The effect produced by constant practice and competent inaiiagmcnt was, retire!cil in the prompt action of the l-’irc brigade in getting to the fire. Hardly bad the boll commenced to ring when the engine was out ol the Station. The trojan work of the Brigade under the leadership of Siqierintondeiil Clark, would have done credit to any body of firelighters. Despite the fierce lie.nl of the burning building, the men made an entrance and gallantly fought the furnace inside the mill. i licit’ efforts were watched by 1000 people. Too tnii(-l■ cannot be said ol the efforts of the Brigade, who effected a truly wonderful save by preventing the machinery from being seriously damaged. Willing helpers also participated in the work of extinguishing the binge, and the Brigade was grateful for their services.

A party of gentlemen saved a further summons for the fire brigade at 11 o’clock last night. When passing thi’ gate of the Town Hall they noticed the timber decking in connection with Mr A. Behan’s movie plant smouldering and when they investigated it started to blaze. The outbreak would not have been serious hut would probably have been the emails of bringing a party of tired firemen from their beds, whereas, taken in time as it was, a bucket of water sufficed to extinguish it.