FLAXMILL GUTTED BY FIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1061, 8 February 1913, Page 3

FLAXMILL GUTTED BY FIRE.

Palmerston, Yesterday,

Extensive damage was done by fire last night to Mr L. Seifert’s new flaxmill at Rangitane—which was otto of the most complete and up-to-date mills in the Dominion.

Tho origin of the fire is a mystery. It, was first noticed burning through the engineroom walls about ten o’clock, and immediate and vigorous steps were taken by the men at the mill to combat the outbreak. About twenty of them formed a bucket, brigade and from an adjacent concrete well a good supply of water was available. The fire fighters worked well, but could not save the engine-shed, a corrugated iron building, some 40 feet long by 22 feet wide. Tho flames also damaged the sontchiiig-shed. which ineasim<s 76 feet by feet. The engine shed was entirely destroyed, and it is fortunate there was no wind blowing at the time or the rest of tho mill could not, havo been saved. The mill has only just, been built and was about completed when the outbreak occurred. It had been vvqrlpng for about six weeks and was known as tho River Mill. It was of the latest design, built on concrete foundations, and includes many improvements on existing mills. Tho destroyed engine room contained a 130-horse power suction gas engine, which is badly damaged, the big driving wheel being buckled, while the damage to the scutching-shed is also considerable. The damage done is believed to b e it* the neighbourhood of £IOOO, probably more. Ten tons of wet fibre close to tpe mill escapee! injury and (ho scutchers were also saved. ' '■ It is intended to commence work with one scutcher and the engine belonging to the old mill on Monday morning, so as to lose little time an possible.