Moresby's $1 million blaze

The Administration's central bulk store at Badili, Port Moresby, was destroyed by fire early on February 10. An alarm was given shortly after 1 a.m., but in spite of a fine effort by the fire service the main building, a steel framed, steel clad, high density storage structure of 660,000 cubic feet was gutted, causing $1 million damage.

Firemen prevented the flames spreading to the nearby ration store and to dumps of highly inflammable goods such as methylated spirits and painting materials stored nearby. The gutted store contained bulk stocks of construction materials, furniture, stationery and printing paper, clothing, uniforms and equip ment.