FIREMEN FACE DEATH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 406, 15 December 1932, Page 5

FIREMEN FACE DEATH

(Press ASSn.

AUCKLAND BRIGADE'S GOOD SAVE AGAINST . BIG ODDS FIRE AT DEVONPORT

— By Telegraph— Copyright)

Auckland, Wednesday. Fire brigadesmen took their lives in their hands this morning when que'iling an outbreak in the Auckland Gas Company's plant at Devonport. Although an official explanation is lacking it is understood that. the fire Was started by a spark aceidentally struck off by a workman's pick in the pui'ifying tank. The flames spread into the exhauster house, which contains the pressure plant and the heads of all the gas mains. The superintendent of the Devonport fire brigade, with four of the men, entered the exhauster house, and after quelling the flames, which were consuming all the woodwork in the room, sealed the gas mains with fire clay. Considerable damage was done, with the result that gas manufacture cannot be resnmed meanwhile, and there is only one day's supply in the gasometer. However, the company is hopeful of being able to restore the supply very quiekly, and that little inconvenience will be- caused consumers. High tributes are paid to the courage of the superintendent and the volunteer firemen. Dangerous Work The brigade received the call at 10.30 and under the direction of Superintendent H. Follas 14 men were quiekly on the scene. With four men the superintendent entered the burning buildings. The smell of escaping gas was everywhere, and the men, to use the words of the superintendent, did not know whether the next moment they would be blown to atoms. With two leads of hose inside and ohe playing on the roof from outside the flames were quelled after desperate work in an atmosphere reeking with gas and ammonia fumes. During the operations part of the roof fell in and there was danger to the men from the falling beams. When the flames were under control it was discovered that the mains were on fire, and the most hazardous work was sealing these with fire-clay, which was quiekly transported- in buckets and tins from another part of the plant.