Kalgoorlie Blaze

["Donald R Smith" <drsmith@iinet.net.au>]

"Flames from the burning oil leapt to a height of over 30 feet and sent
dense black clouds of smoke across Kalgoorlie at 2.45pm today when an
oil-burning engine which was to have taken the Westland Express out caught
fire as it was being prepared at the loco sheds.  The engine,carrying a
capacity load of fuel estimated at 2500 gallons was standing over an ash pit
outside the sheds and alongside the coal staging when the blaze broke out.
When the heat caused the tender to leak, burning fuel flooded the full
length of the pit and engulfed the engine in flames.
It was the most spectacular fire seen for a long while on the Goldfields and
attracted a crowd of over 2,000 to watch the firemen at work.  The flames
began to subside rapidly about 5p.m.  The firemen with a full pressure of
water available,could not use it to quell the burning oil.  They were forced
to stand by and allow the blaze to burn itself out and to use sand to
prevent the fire from reaching the loco sheds and coal staging.  In this
task they were assisted by railway employees and members of volunteer
brigades.
No estimate could be made of the damage at the time.  Prompt work in
servicing another engine resulted in the express leaving at 5.40.p.m., only
ten minutes behind schedule."
Kalgoorlie Miner - Aug 1st, 1949
--
Donald R Smith
drsmith@iinet.net.au
http://www.iinet.net.au/~drsmith/drsmith.html