FIRE IN DESTRUCTOR

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 1

FIRE IN DESTRUCTOR

"OUNCIL’S PROPERTY THREATENED OUTBREAK AT PALMERSTON /V Special to THE SUN PALMERSTON N., Today. An outbreak of flr€> occurred at the * fcorough destructor at Awapuni, about • three miles from Palmerston North, last night, but was fortunately suppressed before it spread to the adjacent buildings of the municipal abattoir. The outbreak occurred in what is known as the “dipper,” among sawdust i and other inflammable material, and, according to the borough engineer, Mr. J. R. Hughes, was probably caused by household hot ashes dropped down the chute among the last load of rubbish deposited at the destructor yesterday. The discovery of the outbreak was made by the engineer at the abattoir, Mr. H. Humphries, and by Mr. J. W. "Watt. When the former was leaving Mr. Watt’s house to make liis usual inspection he glanced across the road and saw flames bursting from the roof of the destructor. A glance showed the two men that the flames were beyond their control, and they immediately sent a telephone message through to the fire brigade at Palmerston North. Realising the gravity of the situation, although the abattoirs are well out of the brigade’s district. Superintendent Barnard immediately dispatched a machine. A 60,000-gallon dam fed from an artesian bore and used for cooling the condensers provided an excellent reservoir for the Pump, and the excellent pressure obtained so Dn had its effect on the flames. The outbreak was deepseated In the rubbish, however, and it was some time before the firemen were able to return to Palmerston. It was impossible to estimate the damage hist night owing to the darkness, but the roof was destroyed. The brigade prevented the flames from spreading to the compartment in which is housed the machinery used for freezing. which is in the same building. A similar outbreak among the rubbish, but with less serious consequences, occurred at the destructor 12 months ago.