THE TURAKINA FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1925, Page 4

THE TURAKINA FIRE

fav tki,l—rr.n rungs association. J WLLLIXG'iOX, Ociobre lb. The 1 tirgkina lire had obtained a strong hold amongst 000 bags ot copra sun,red t.i Xu I am! X'o o liokls. Leads of lane ware run out and the harbour board’s salvage tug came on the scene, ibe lire spread rapully. Scull the hold wots a ssetiung mass, am! stem tie. k commenced to buckle under Cm. intern-o heat, 'i be fire was deep-seat etl and spread, despite volumes n; water poured into the hold. Dense, oily-black smoke and amaiu poured I rout every vent. For a long time the tire defied all cli'orU to suppress it. ot even kohl it in cheek, 'i he Hat bom Board's Hi ', Terawhiti wa.s pitmiiilij sad; v, at• r at the rate ~i a ; itou-au., gallons pi i' minute, in addition to •voter ii'em shore leads. Distinct bide s could be seen in vivo a.t Lerdeek and on tf.e port side opposite to v. her the lire bad been hist healed. ’lll. bad alruulv a li-l to stark.iat".! Du dea;.. in torrents of rain, klvm'.'ii cot! Id seen through -moke an steam working ko.-cpipts through t very vantage point. The hatch was closed again a - it was not having any olfeet. The firemen in gas masks descended to ?:<> •! hold, and a solid mass of black stroke poured Iretii the man hole when i; was opi'iu d. I lobes were cut will an an eione blowpipe. and water directed to tl.e centre o! tb.e eonlingrntion Auoider thousand gallons per ueimt, poured in during the afternoon, 'fibre v. ns got under (ottlrol. but e.o ni ri '-ei'a.ted cargo. The origin ~of the lire is a myster;-.