FIRE AT LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17287, 30 September 1916, Page 10

FIRE AT LYTTELTON.

OUTBREAK IN RAILWAY SHEDS. DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT HUNDREDS OF POUNDS. At 12.10 o’clock this morning the, Lyttelton Fire Brigade was called out to attend an outbreak of firo in tho New Zoaland railways, No. 2 shed, at the roar of the post office, partly occupied by the Social Club, Wharf Labourers’ Union ,and also as the. permanent way and for grain storage purposes. , The brigade answered the _ caui promptly, and when they arrived oil the scene it was found that the centra* portion of tho building, occupied by the Wharf Labourers’ Union, was well alight. The flames, fauned by a strong easterly wind, soon engulfed tho portion used for the storage of gram. A good pressure of water was available, and after about half an hours work the lire was got under control, but iiot before tho whole of tho produco was deluged with water. The origin of the outbreak is unknown, but the fire started in tho Wharf Labourers’ Union- room. It is understood that several men left tho room about 9.&0 p.m. and at seventeen minutes to twelve the night watchman paid his usual visit of inspection. Shortly after midnight, however, several members of the Social Club, who were in the billiard room, smelt something burning, and investigations disclosed the scene of the outbreak. Tho alarm was given immediately. A few oilskins and papers were saved f-orn the Wharf Labourers’ room, and the whole of the library and office requisites were got out of the Social Hall, which was practically undamaged. The damage, is estimated at several hundreds of pounds, the produce representing the principal losses.