FIRE AT TIMARU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2353, 20 November 1908, Page 5

FIRE AT TIMARU.

TIMBER YARD AND SAWMILL

BURNED

[Press Association.]

TIMARU, Nov. 19

Jackson and Co.’s timber yard and sawmill, the largest in Timuru, was almost completely destroyed by fire this morning. Several- people who passed the mill, which was on the main street, between 5 and 5.30, noticed no signs of fire, hut about 5.30 a railway mini on his way to work -noticed l smoke issuing from, the central portion of the building, which was of two storeys, mainly brick land iron, with a considerable area of. wooden walls Mid flooring, while within was a heavy stock of timber in various stages of manufacture. A few minutes after the alarm was given tremendou s volumes- of smoke -and flame burst out of every part of the mill, and within a quarter of an hour the entire structure was a seething furnace. By 6 o’clock the roof land walls had fallen, and so fierce had the fire been that very little- remained. Up till this point almost a dead calm prevailed, and when a strong southerly breeze sprang up the fire had so far expended itself that there was no difficulty in preventing its spread. -Small stacks of timber all around tho main, building wore unharmed, -and the stock of machinery of the wheelwright and bending department was very little damaged. Great precautions had always -been exercised -in the prevention of fire, land it seems most probable that the outbreak originated in the engine-room. The business was purchased by the present owners -a quarter of a century -ago, and extended during -that period into one of tlie most flourishing in the district. The extent of the -destruction _ is estimated iat £6OOO, and there is an insurance of £2OOO. The destruction o'f tlie central factory means the disorganisation of the. whole business, but preparations will 100 commencedimmediately for the resumption of work.