FALSE ALARM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 130, 4 June 1934, Page 14

FALSE ALARM.

FIREMAN INJURED. THROWN OFF ENGINE. A malicious false alarm of fire led to a fireman being injured on Saturday afternoon, and four others had a narrow escape. At 3.12 p.m.' the Mount Albert Fire Brigade's largest engine dashed out in response to a call to Burnley Terrace. When taking a bend leading into Sandrjngham Road by the Kowhai School the machine swerved on to the footpath and narrowly missed striking two telegraph poles. Fireman Oade was thrown Qff, and' he rolled over several times. The footboard, a hydrant and some other "gear were also thrown off. •' The driver waited long enough to ascertain that Mr. Oade was not seriously hurt, and that he was being attended by a passing motorist, and then started off again for the fire. Oil reaching Burnley Terrace it was found that the brigade had been called out maliciously. It was also discovered that the kingbolt on the near side of the engine's front axle was broken. This had caused the axle to move back. A tyre had been forced against a mudguard and ripped. Mr. Oade w<is taken to the station by the motorist. He was suffering from abrasions and shock and was attended by one of his colleagues with ambulance experience. Firemen afterwards stated I that if it had not been for the presence of mind shown by Station Officer Marter, who was driving, all five men on the! engine might have been seriously in-; jured. I