TAR WORKS DAMAGED
INFLAMMABLE STOCK SAVED BY BRIGADE FIRE IN BEAUMONT STREET With an occasional explosion, one of which resulted in a circular iron plate weighing about 601 b being hurled in the air, the City Fire Brigade had a precarious duty to perform on Thursday evening, when its prompt action was the direct result of making a big save when fire broke out at the tar distillery works of Restar. Ltd., at the corner of Patteson and Beaumont Streets. The distillery building, of about 30 feet by 150 feet, was burning fiercely when the brigade arrived on the scene, but the flames had not then reached the large quantities of tar and distillates which were stored nearby. In less than a quarter of an hour the firemen had the flames subdued beyond any danger of them further destroying the building and stock.
It was fortunate that the circular iron plate which was thrown out into Beaumont Street fell clear ofthe firemen and the large crowd of spectators. A slighter explosion at 6.40 was the first indication of the outbreak, and this shattered the electric light
globes and plunged the building into darkness. Following the explosion, which appeared to occur in a part of the building farthest from the main road, flames quickly enveloped the plant, and spread to the wooden framework. A pipe connecting an overhead tank with the stills was eventually broken by the heat, and 1,500 gallons of tar was released and flowed into Patteson Street. By this time the brigade had sufficient control to prevent the flames from igniting the tar. Apart from considerable damage which was done to the framework, two electric motors were extensively damaged, while the heat buckled the pipe lines. It is expected that the plant will be in operation again on Monday. The stock on the premises included 50,000 gallons of raw tar, and between 30.000 and 40.000 gallons of oils and other inflammable products. The building and plant are insured for £1,050 with the South British Office.
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Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 13
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337TAR WORKS DAMAGED Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 13
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