LUCKY SAVE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20923, 30 September 1939, Page 6

LUCKY SAVE

FIRE AT RAGLAN REFRIGERATOR EXPLODES VOLUNTEERS’ GREAT WORK (Special lo Times) RAGLAN, Saturday But for a workman proceeding to work in the early hours of this morning noticing a fire in the largest business premises in Raglan and giving the alarm, the building would have been completely destroyed. As it was volunteers made a miraculous save, though damage to the extent of £9OO was done to stock. Mr H. Burnard was proceeding to work at 4 o’clock this morning when he noticed the reflection of a fire and huge clouds of smoke issuing from the Farmers’ Trading Company’s building. He immediately aroused the manager, Mr A. N. Crowe, and while Mr Crowe was unlocking the front door other helpers were summoned. The front of the shop was full of heavy smoke and the intense heat drove Mr Crowe out. After three attempts to reach the fire from the front the back door was forced, and armed with extinguishers the volunteers had a long battle before they subdued the flames. , The cause of the fire is unknown but a refrigerator had been very badly burned and had crashed through the floor. It exploded as a result of the crash and the surrounding woodwork caught fire. The fire had a fair hold when discovered and had it not been noticed tor another quarter of an hour there would have been no chance of saving the building. The loss of stock is estimated to be in the vicinity of £9OO. All the drapery and general goods were damaged by smoke and fire. The stock and buildings are insured in the South British Company, but details are not available. Submarines Sighted The Monterey which arrived at Auckland from San Francisco to-day. while travelling from Honolulu to Pago Pago sighted two large submarines, which it transpired were American vessels on a “shakedown cruise.” The vessel had a record passenger list. Every berth was taken and ten extra beds in the library were necessary. The number of passengers was 723, twelve short of the special lifeboat capacity.