HUGE FIRE AT HAMILTON.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 6 January 1917, Page 5

HUGE FIRE AT HAMILTON.

FACTORY AND TIMBER I'AKBrf ABLAZE. DESTROYED STOCK ESTIMATED AT £25,000. f HAMILTON, Jan 5. I A terriiie tire took place at Hamilton, the whole of the factory and timber yards of Messrs Ellis and Burnand being ablaze. The conflagration started at 5 o'clock, and is supposed to -have originated in the engine-room. Within ten minutes the factory was a seething mass of flames, and, a strongwind blowing, the flames leaped across the intervening road and took bold of large stacks of dry timber, which were quickly enveloped in a sea lof fire. The premises and yards occupy about eight acres, and at the time of wiring the occupants of dwellings near by are removing their furjniture, while efforts are being made jto save the large bulk store of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Co. in the station yard, which adjoins. The factory is completely demolished, the only thing standing being the strongroom, with the books intact. The most serious feature is the destruction of large stocks of butter-box timber, which requires to be of special quality and thoroughly seasoned. As Ellis and Burnand are the biggest butter box manufacturers in the North Island, many factories are likely to suffer in consequence, though the firm is sending down a special staff of workmen to their King Country mills to endeavour to fulfil orders. There was a good deal of manufactured joinery on the premises, and at .the last assessment the stock was valued at £25,000, which is totally destroyed. The stock and premises were insured for about £IO,OOO, mainly in the Commercial Union.