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The Gisborne Photo News

 
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No 54 : December 11, 1958

6

Full Scale Fire at Oil Depot

At 6.30am on a recent Saturday morning, an urgent alarm clanged its message to the fire station-the Shell Depot in Crawford Road was ablaze–thousands of gallons of oil and petroleum were in imminent danger of exploding with a destructive force never before witnessed in Gisborne.

A word of re-assurance. The Gisborne Fire Brigade was, on this occasion, partaking in a full-scale exercise, preparing themselves for the day when such a disaster might occur.

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Within moments the full force of the Gisborne Fire Brigade was on hand. Hoses were connected, pumps started, with frantic precision. Thousands of gallons of cooling water were sprayed over the storage tanks most immediately threatened.

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It was no time before the whole depot was almost enshrouded in a misty spray, reminiscent of an early morning fog. Chief Fire Officer E. S. Smith moved briskly, directing fire fighting activities.

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The opportunity was taken to test a new foam extinguisher.

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Despite the early hour, an audience soon gathered.

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Mixed with water, the foam clung to the storage tanks like heavy blobs of day-old porridge: formed a thick, gelantinous substance on the ground.

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Large Dennis engine was working at capacity.

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© 2012 H B Williams Memorial Library
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