FIRE LOSSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 8

FIRE LOSSES.

FIGURES FOR CITY.

SEB-ItrcS PROPERTT DAMAGE,

-FEWER OUTBREAKS THIS YEAR.

Although there were fewer outbreaks of fire in Auckla-nd this year than was the case laet year, there were several serious conflagrations, which not only endangered life, but also caused a great Joss of property. There were two big fires in the city, involving a total loss of about £30,000, and the outbreak at Newmarket caused damage estimated at £40,000.

A return compiled by the fire brigade euperintendent, Mr. W. L. Wilson, shows that there was a satisfactory reduction in the number of calls in the Auckland area. The figures for the year just ending are: — 1930. 1929. Actual fires 224 234 False alarms "» £* Chimney ;*;' f* RubbisOi or grass i>2, iiw Outside of the area .. 11 l~ Totals 458 487 The two big factory fires in 1930 caused a loss aggregating more than half of the total estimated loss of £60,000 in 1929 Early in March damage estimated at £15,000 was caused when Six factories in Dundonald Street, off Newton Road, were destroyed. Damage amounting to £18,000 was done by the sensational fire at the factory of the Pluinmer Hat Company, Rutland Street, where the lives of many employees were endangered. The lar'ce increase in the number of false alarms was a feature of the year. This was due to the activities of a hre maniac." On November 20 the City UrhMule received ten false calls within two and α-half hours. A young man wan later caught in the act ot giving a fa Dnring ri S; C year throe internal alarm ■J'JLmra installed. The War M.moWu>/ff*oo " ,i,n " to the Par. SBw, A factory in IJrown bteet, vSSmii B irinUlM w.tli an alarm »yS UnmM WlWi the Central elation, apd Wfiflffl to Nevv 7j y nn e

arrangements with the board for the protection of its property by a system connected with the Avondale station.

The alarm system in the Jtemuera district was converted to the duplex standardised sy3tem, marking the completion of a work commenced throughout the city in 1919. A new fire station at Tamaki was opened in November, and improvements to the City Brigade's plant included a new salvage wagon for the purpose of carrying salvage sheets, buckets, brooms, mops, etc., to the scene of a fire for use to reduce as far as possible damage by water.