FIRE AT MORRINSVILLE

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 71, 28 February 1918, Page 4

FIRE AT MORRINSVILLE

Bulk Oil Store Destroyed At about 8.30 on Saturday night a destructive fire broke out in the building used as a bulk oil store by Messrs Watts and Brayshaw, Ltd., at the rear of their business promises and fronting Studholme street. The fire soon had a strong hold and it was quite evident that the destruction would be complete. A large number of willing workers were available and set to work with primitive fire-fighting apparatus —such as buckets and spray pumps —and were finally successful in preventing the fire "from spreading to the adjoining buildings. Business was practically suspended during the remainder of the evening, and the picture programme was suspended. A large crowd of residents congregated in the proximity of the scene to watch the awe inspiring sight, flames shot several feet up into the air and great columns of smoke rolled skyward as the fire with no resistance offering, carried out its work of destruction. A telegraph pole on the pavement was soon a mass of flames and was almost destroyed before the heat permitted it being chopped down. The necessity of this course rendered it necessary to cut several lines. The loss will prove very serious both to Messrs Watts and Brayshaw and the community generally, as the scarcity of benzine and other oils is such that it will be almost impossible to replace the stock immediately. The firm estimate their loss at about £BOO, there being no cover whatever on the building or contents. In addition to benzine and kerosene the store also contained a largo stock of linseed oil which, at the present time, is almost unprocurable.