FIRE ON THAMES ROAD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5210, 30 November 1927, Page 2

FIRE ON THAMES ROAD.

SAWMILL DAMAGED.

MACHINERY DESTROYED.

A fire broke out early yesterday morning in the engine shed at the back of Mr Harvey Evans’ sawmill on Thames Road. The fire brigade turned out and was soon on the scene, but with only a. two-inch main to work from its efforts were handicapped. However, the firemen did good work in removing stacks of timber and milling gear, and with a 'halfinch hose eventually stopped the flames.

The fire broke out in the engine shed at the back of and adjoining the mill, and when the alarm was given the shed was burning fiercely.

The mill was recently leased by Mr J. Dean, of Auckland, and He had been in possession for the past month.

There was no insurance on the building, and Mr Evans estimates his loss at over £3OO. Included in the articles destroyed was a Ford motor truck and also boiler and engine, tools, and milling gear. There was practically no wind at the time, but, even so, had not assistance been forthcoming the whole of the mill and stacks of timber must have been destroyed. Beyond the fact that live embers were in the boiler and a spark may have fallen onto a heap of wood stacked nearby for burning, the owner is at a loss to know .how the ftre originated, especially as he was there at 7 o’clock the previous evening, and everything appeared to be safe at that time.