DISASTROUS FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1925, Page 1

DISASTROUS FIRE

WIN'D SACKS SITFATI. (X. [ Australia ,V X.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON'. Sept. Jo. A disastrous lire is raging in Virkers works at Dai; lord, covering many acres. Munitions. explosives. and stores are threatened. LONDON’. Sept. dll. The Vickers lire broke out at ten o'clock in the woodwork department. Fanned hy a strong wind, it gripped the wlu'le of the timber sh.eds. the painting department, and a range nf buildings containing most valuable machinery. Long alter the lirsl lire brigade arrived, the lire had oxiemlecl relentossiy. There were explosions of paint and petrol tins in the paint shop, which led to a, belief that the explosives stores had caught, and attracted inhabitants from miles round. I hey rein forced the fire-fighters. wlm. luckily, were aide to save jlie danger spot., liv midnight the lire was under rouThe ammunition factory, in which there were enough explosives to wreck I he w hole neighbourhood, w as separated from the fir*' hy a short, stretch ol marshy ground. For a time it seemed that thi- firi-nien would not lie able In prevent I lie explosives sired getting afire. Police rushed to the -pot. and formed a cordon to keep people away, owing to tin- fear of .1 t• ■ rri!•.• e-. 010 Snddenly. as by a miraeli'. the wind ihaugei! lie 1.1 about . and 1 lie (lame- on which ill.' tinmen’s jets had appeared to 1,,.- lidple-s were swept hack, and ill. lii-cnn n. who had watched Ihe growing peril. liieath-d more freely. Two acres ef buildings were de-tr0y-,.,1. in, hiding a wnrkship wherein I'm nilure and toys have latterly hen mad,- and where millions ot cartridges were tilled during wan line.