LUNAR PARK BLAZE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1927, Page 3

LUNAR PARK BLAZE

[ill' TELKGRAT'n —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION,

AUCKLAND. Feb. 22. A portion of the buildings at Luna Amusement Park were razed to the ground this evening by 'a spectacular fire. The buildings ruined comprised the tea rooms and cabaret, the offices of the secretary and his staff, and the “Fun Factory.” in addition to a large portion of the scenic railway, which traversed the top of tlie buildings, disappeared in tlie flames. The management estimates the damage at ten thousand pounds. The lire broke out with startling suddenness. The Park was closed to the public: at the time, lint Air B. AV. Beaumont (Secretary and Manager of the Park) was in the office, with two other members of Us office staff. T hoy were engaged in tallying the receipts of the afternoon, when suddenly a muffled explosion was hoard. Owing to tlie presence of the Renown in tlie harbour, tuis was passed ofi lightly. Then one of the men opened a door to go into the outer office, andfound the building filled with smoke. Air Gilmour dashed hack into tlie building to get money and some papers that were in the safe, hut so quickly had the flames spread that it was impossible for him to enter the office. Ho next made a fruitless atempt to rescue two carriages on a part of the scenic railway endangered by the flumes. Three fire engines were engaged in the task of lighting the fire, and after a hard struggle, they succeeded in preventing the spread of the Runes to other parts of the building. LATER. The cause of the outbreak is a mystery. All the electric current serving the various devices had been switched off. Luna, Park is insured, but the amount is not available. After tlie lire about £1(19 in money and ,i number of papers which were in the safe were recovered unharmed.

FURTHER. DETAILS. AUCKLAND. Feh. 23. Meanwhile Beaumont had rushed to the telephone to summon the city fire brignde. Blackwood seizing a lead of hose already attached to a. hydrant, played it on what seemed to him to he the scat of the fire. The brigade were quickly on the scene, two engines coming from the city station and two front Parnell. The activities of the firemen were concentrated on either en t | of the buck wall to save tlie rest of the scenic, railway and prevent the fire from spreading. In a few minutes only the huge eight inch beams were left standing. The crowd could see a mass of seething (lames inside the park and then followed an awe inspiring scene. Suddenly the huge upright beams lurched font,ml about a foot and there remained stationery. Timber and sheets ot iron rained ironi the roof into the blazing cavity beneath. The (lames were licking ominously round and the beams finally with a splintering sound 1011, burned through. Sparks and flames rocketed upwards as the lingo timbers fell to the earth with a crash. Inside the park a grim, light with the flames continued. At times it seemed as jt the file must, spread along the scenic railway to the other buildings, hut the firemen fought with a steadiness and tenacity which gradually non their victory. FIRE DAMAGES. AUCKLAND. February 23. The damage is estimated at 210,000 caused last evening liv the fire at Luna Park, the big amusement resort transferred from the Christchurch Exhirntiou. The lire broke out shortly after five o'clock. IL was a spectacular blaze and lighted up the whole waterfront. The buildings destroyed comprised tearooms and cabaret, the office ol tlie Secretary and tun lactory. Ihe cause of the lire, which started in the tearooms, is a mystery. Ihe Luna 1 ink insured details are unavailable. Alter the fire was suppressed by tlie Brigade the damaged portion was roped ofl. The uninjured amusement devices wore fully patronised. The management- intends to reinstate the ruined portion of the scenic railway.