FIRM.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 August 1918, Page 4

FIRM.

BENZINE ABLAZE IN AUCKI*ANft OVER SEVEN THOUSAND CASE® DESTROYED, BLAZING FOR THREE HOURS. There was a big blaze in BeacH Road) Auckland, yesterday, when be* tween 7000 and 8000 cases of Upline, stored in a shed, were destroyed by a fire that lasted for over three.■•hours* The outbreak occurred shortly after ten o’clock, and the alarm was quickly given to the City Brigade, hut the highly inflammable cofltehts of the building blazed up almost immediately, and when the brigade arrived were faced with a practically hopeless task. The flames soon enveloped whole of the larger of the two builij* ings. and in spite of the half-dozeg leads of hose that were brought inttf play the fire lasted until the structure collapsed and the whole of the con* tents were destroyed.

While it lasted the fire was an im* presive spectacle. As case after case of spirit exploded and ignited huge flames shot into the air, and great clouds of black and gfey smoke burst upwards for hundreds of feet. The Firemen were handicapped by the nature of the building—a corrugated iron structure without windows — and had to play the hose through the single door in the front of the building, and from the railway line at the back. A smaller building adjoining caught alight, and for a time the benzine stored here was also threatened. The Brigade managed to keep the flames back, and enable a party of men to remove a portion of the contents, and eventually this building, though badly damaged, was saved.

The heaviest losers are Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd., WhOi owned the seven dr eight thousand cases of benzine in the larger building. Tlie whole of this stock, which was landed only a few days ago, was destroyed. As benzine is now being sold at about 27/6 a case, the value represented is a very considerable one. It is understood, however, that the stock was covered 5y insurance.

J In the' smaller "building, Messrs Dexter and Croziner, A. B. Donalfl, and E. Porter had quantities of bell* zine stored, but the larger portion of -this was saved. The fire caused S temporary interruption of the Remit* era and Parnell tram services, but a special service was commenced, carff running as far as the fire so that EhS £ passengers could transfer to otKeit! • cars on the far side of the fire. TSg buildings, which were owned by Mr* E. Porter, were uninsured. : The benzine owned by MessTs Wright. Stephenson and Co. Ltd:, wag ; . insured with the Commercial Union Insurance Company for £BOOO. -■ : * i