TIMBER MILL FIRE

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 98, 4 December 1953, Page 9

TIMBER MILL FIRE

TAUPO COMPANY'S LOSS The mill building owned by Huka Timber Mills Ltd., of Taupo, was burnt to the ground on Thursday morning, November 26th. Mr W. Henderson, an employee, was wakened by the glare about 1.30 a.m. and aroused other employees. The telephone' exchange being closed, Mr J. Banks drove into town to call the Taupo Fire Brigade. The fire appeared to have started at the northern end of the mill in the neighbourhood of the boiler and with a northerly wind swept rapidly through the building. The Brigade could do nothing to save the mill itself, but soon had hoses pumping water from the Waikato River near the Dam and saved the office building, together with timber stacked nearby. No less than 2300 feet of hose were used. Mr J. W. Woodward, who estimated the loss at £15,000, paid a tribute to the Brigade's good work and the efforts of the Mill staff. Two electric motors were destroyed which were to have supplied power when the mill was electrified at the end of the year, and which had not been unpacked. Mr Woodward states that it is hoped to have the new mill in partial operation by the end of January. With no telephone available after midnight the fire emphasises the need for public knowledge of how to call the Brigade. The alarm may be given by ringing from any of the following residences, all of which are connected, when the exchange closes, to Messrs Gillies Motors Ltd. whence the siren is operated: — Mr W. H. Hill, Henry Hill Road, Mr W. L. Haines, Terraces Hill Road, Mr George Davis, Kaimanawa Street, Mr V. Geoghan, Ministry of Works. The alarm may also be given by breaking the glass of the alarm box on the front of the Fire Station and pressing the button within. Other points raised by the fire are the importance of the public realising the need to avoid blocking the road for fire engines, and to avoid driving over hoses, either when empty or when water is being pumped.