FIRE AT FITZROY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 205, 8 December 1910, Page 7

FIRE AT FITZROY

BACON FACTORY GUTTED. Early yesterday morning the Fitzroy fire bell rang out an alarm, Mr. C. Foote having discovered a blaze at the Bacon Factory. The building was soon a mass of flames, and it was only the wonderful work of the Fitzroy Brigade that saved the whole buildings from destruction. The brigade, under Captain W. Griffiths, worked splendidly, the whole complement turning out. The fact that the flames were quelled at all is all the more wonderful' when it is remembered that only one lot of hose was available, and that had to be carried from the nearest plug, some distance away from the fire bell, and easily 250 yards from the outbreak. Mr. Griffiths soon afterwards was successful in directing other leads to the flames, and estimates that in all he used quite 1700 feet of hose. The fire started downstairs among some sawdust, and spread with considerable rapidity. By remarkable good luck the smoke-room and engine-room were hardly touched. Although the engine-room caught alight, the brigade managed to save the machinery. The building was formerly occupied by thq Taranaki Bacon Company, but has latterly been used by Messrs. J. and W. Ingley, of Smart Road, who leased it with a purchasing clause from the company. The company's insurances total £BOO, made up as follows: Commercial Union, £3OO on building and £IOO on machinery; Guardian Company, £l5O on building and £250 on machinery. Messrs. Ingley have also an insurance of £SOO in their own name.