SALVAGE WORK

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1929, Page 2

SALVAGE WORK

BURNING OIL STORE.

A DELICATE TASK

. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. G. An ever-present risk of a sudden outburst of flame or an explosion calls foi very delicate handling on the part ol the salvage men who are, operating at the Carlyle Street oil store ol Messrs D. H. Brown and Son,'which is still burning. Crowds visited the scene during the day and again at night. Speed is not allowed to enter into the operations. To ensure safety cases are being brought out singly. Danger lies in shifting too much of tiltstack at one time, for there is a risk of a collapse. Such would cause a further serious outbreak of the fire. The object of the salvage work is mainly with a vieiv to bringing about the termination of the fire as soon as possible, for while the spirit remains in the building the flames will continue. The work is proceeding not without interruptions. Minor outbursts of flame occurred at intervals yesterday and salvage work had to be stopped, while the brigade concentrated its efforts to getting the blaze under control again.

At 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon the western wall of the building was pulled down. Ropes were attached to the top of the wall, which yielded to the pulls of a gang of men. Portions remained at the south and north-west corners and form buttresses, .which are assisting to keep remaining walls standing. The work was carried on ’ast night, light being provided by three powerful electric flood lamps.

A NARROW ESCAPE. Four members of the salvage gang had a narrow escape shortly after 8.30 o’clock. A number of cases toppled down from the top of the stock which stands at the back of the building, and in failing brought down a. portion of the north-east cofner. The men were working immediately under the stack and but for timely ( cries . pf warning from the spectators would have been caught. As it was they just managed to get clear as the mass of cases and bricks struck the ground. The cases burst and the contents immediately, took fire. There was a general scatter by the crowd for safer regions. The blaze assumed quite spectacular proportions and in a very short time the crowd 1 had doubled its numbers. Over an hour elapsed before the blaze was subdued. Then salvage operations were resumed. Mr Claude Cooper, who is assessing the damage stated yesterday that the question of salvage was uncertain at present. He expressed the opinion that if some of the big drums in the centre of the building exploded the whole of the unhurried petrol and oil would explode and catch fire. Thousands of cases were untouched, and it ••was hoped to salve them. The contents of the store were insured in the Royal Office for £BOOO. It is understood the risk was not reinforced with other offices; 1

Mr Butcher, Inspector of Explosives, arrived from Wellington on Sunday and inspected the fire yesterday.