RAETIHI MILL BURNED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 254, 17 January 1928, Page 12

RAETIHI MILL BURNED

COMPANY’S SEVERE LOSS A destructive fire occurred on Sunday morning at the Makotuku Timber Company’s mill on the outskirts of Raetihi. The fire began in a heap of shavings near the mill buildings and was first noticed soon after 11 o’clock. The steam alarm whistle could not be given as the mill was not working. Immediate steps were taken to give the alarm in the town, and the fire brigade received the call about noon. The brigade was quickly on the scene, but by the time of its arrival the fire had a good hold. A building stored with timber was soon razed and a large planing shed was alight on one corner. The brigade paid first attention to this and saved the shed. No other buildings were damaged. A large number of men assisted in pulling down stacks while the brigade played water on the timber across the yard in front of the men. By this means a large quantity of valuable timber was saved. Fortunately another large yard running parallel with the one on fire was untouched, the wind carrying the flames away from this quarter. The damage was extensive and as there was no insurance on the buildings or stock of timber the loss will be a serious one.