TAR OIL ABLAZE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1941, Page 7

TAR OIL ABLAZE

SPECTACULAR AUCKLAND FIRE. TERRIFIC HEAT AND DENSE SMOKE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND. 'May 21. Barrels of tar oil, which exploded in rapid succession; created considerable difficulties for firemen in a spectacular fire at the premises of the Distar refinery of the Auckland Gas Company in Beaumont Street early tonight. At various' stages it appeared as if the fire was wholly under control, 'but then a barrel of oil would burst and the contents would spread and carry the flames above the building. Once more dense-clouds of smoke rose high, above the city and were seen from, many points. Occasionally a column of' smoke would be illuminated for a few minutes by the glare as the flames secured a renewed hold.

In the terrific heat which was generated from the oil firemen from two machines from the central station fought a hard battle against the fierce flames, and their special fire-fighting preparation seemed at first to have little or no effect on the oil, which burnt long after the main part of the building had been destroyed. How the fire started could not be stated definitely. An explosion was heard shortly after 6.30 p.m., and in a very short time flames had spread throughout the building and were mounting above the roof. The refining plant was housed in a wood and iron building, which wag gutted, and the plant was destroyed.