SCENE OF RUIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 224, 10 December 1927, Page 9

SCENE OF RUIN

JOINERY MILL FIRE OWNERS' HEAVY LOSS A LTHOUGH the great fire ' V which destroyed Messrs. Henderson and Pollard's joinery mill at Mount Eden early yesterday broke out about 4.30 a.m. firemen were unable to leave the ruins of the factory until 6 a.m. to-day. After an examination of the ruined machinery and burned stocks of timber this morning Mr. H. Pollard estimate the loss at approximately the figure published yesterday—£so,ooo. The insurances amount to £28,000, of ■which £20,000 is guaranteed by the Home Insurance Company, and the remainder by Lloyd’s. Damage to the Kauri Timber Company’s stock totals about £3,000. The loss is covered by the New Zealand Insurance Company. ORIGIN OF OUTBREAK Although the origin of the fire may never be known it was definitely ascertained this morning that the outbreak did ~ot start in Henderson and Pollard’s engine and boiler room. Inspection revealed that despite the fierceness of the blaze which raged round the boiler house a large heap of shavings stored there for use in the furnaces had not been touched by the flames. The boiler house is a substantial j brick structure and thus protected the ! shavings used for fuel. The large office safe was found buried among the debris and on opening it was found that it had preserved the firm’s valuable documents intact notwithstanding the fierce heat to which it had been subjected. WORK FOR ALL HANDS The destruction of the major portion of the mill has temporarily thrown about 100 men out of work. ! Mr. Pollard, however, states that j arrangements are almost complete to employ ail hands shortly in that por-' tion of the factory which escaped the ! flames. “The men offered to take ! turn about,” said Mr. Pollard, “but that will not be necessary, as we ex- j pect to employ them all as usual.” The firm will promptly, fulfil all I orders entrusted for execution. Three mills owned by the company in the province ensure an ample supply of timber. < It is intended to immediately rebuild as much of the mill as the insurances will permit. “But,” said Mr. Pollard, “it will not he so large again in my time.” FIREMEN’S ORDEAL Some idea of the fierce heat from the burning mill can be gained from the experience of Superintendent J. E. Williams, of the Mount Eden Fire Brigade. He arrived on the scene with his firemen first of the four brigades which responded to the alarm. While the superintendent was bending to attach a hydrant to the water-mains in Enfield Street his helmet fell from his head. Momentarily deprived of this protection, Superintendent Williams collapsed in a second from the great heat thrown from the doomed structure. When water could be turned on he was Quickly revived and once again took his place in command of the brigade. Soon afterward the superintendent was badly scorched about the hands and wrists but continued on in great pain directing his men in their hopeless task. Many other firemen bore signs of contact with the flames.