FIRE IN TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1097, 26 April 1883, Page 3

FIRE IN TEMUKA.

About f : glifc o'clock last night the fire bell rung out the a'arm, and as a tremendous blaze was rizing up out. of Mr Franks' brewery 111 ere was no difficulty in ascertaining the kcale ef the fire. The brewery consists of a two storey woodi>n building at the two sides of wh'ch are built side-rooms, one storey high, and with concrete walls. The floors ave also concrete and the roof is corrugated iron. At the south end of it is a malt kiln, engine-room and the machinery connected with the trade. The central room on the ground floor is the cellar, and one of the side rooms is c malt floor, while the other u used as a store room. The fire broke out somewhere in the region of the malt kiln, but its origin is quite unknown. Mr Franks had a fire under the engine all Hay until about dusk, when he removed it into a brick fireplace, from which it was impossib'e for it to spread. AH the surrounds of the place where the fire was has a concrete floor and the way from the engine-room to the fireplace to which Mr Franks removed it is all concrete, so that it was impossible thai any sparks could fall on the floor and ignite The origin of the fire is therefore so far shrouded in mystery. It, however, extended very rapidly, for it had a good hold of the southern end before any assistance camo. In the top of the building is a larg» tank of water, and the precaution waß taken of letting it flow down at once. In this way a splendid fall of wa'er was let down a short distance from where the fire, and this, no doubt, had the effect of retarding its progress. The Fire Brigade was in attendance, and worked admirably, but theinadequaoy of their number was soon apparent- In about ten minutes times they had their engine placed in connection with the oreek at the end of the brewery, and soon had a strong flow of wator playing at tbe end that was on fire. Bar ing get the fire well under there, the hose was got around to the north end, taken in through a window, and got to play on the blaze from the inside. For a time t hey worked at a disadvantage, owing to the hose being too short, but a length having been added they were able to use it more effectually, and in ten minutes' time it became apparent that they had mastered the flames. Tbe fire was thus confined to the malt kiln and engine-room, but it ran along underneath the iron roof along the ceilings of the main building, the woodwork of which is considerably damaged. The malt kiln and engine room is completely gutted, and but for ihe way in which the Fire Brigade and those who helped them worked, the brewery would hare been completely destroyed. Two other agencies also lent assistance. The night was very calm, but whatever wind there was came from the north and blew the flames back. But for this, and the fact that the walls and floors were principally concrete, and the roof iron, it is doubtful whether ther the building could have been saved. Mr Franks is a heavy loser. There were 3000 bushels of malt in the brewery, and though most of it was removed it must have suffered considerable damage. The malt and the machinery, which must have been comple'elv destroyed, were insured in the Sou'h British for £3OO. The building had be«n insured for £SOO, but Mr Franks thinks that the policy lapsed a few days ago. Tbe building belongs to Mr Delamain, of Christchurch. but Mr Franks is bound by his lease to keep it insured, and if the polioy has lapsed, he is, we believe, liable for damages. A good many worked very bard and deserved great oredit, but these at times threatened to be few in number, and at one time the pump was nearly ooming to a etandetill for the want of hands to work; while a large crowd looked unooncernedly on. It Diut be tnii that it is a shameful thing for anyone not to lend a hand on such an occasion.