THE RAILWAY FIRE ENGINE.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7173, 8 October 1888, Page 5

THE RAILWAY FIRE ENGINE.

As there is Ukely to be some consideration given by the city authorities to the absence of the railway steamer "Powerful" from the late tire at Hobday's, one of our representatives ascertained the arrangements- which obtain for the use of that engine. According to the information with which we have been supplied it appears that originally application had to be made to the General Manager of Bailways for'the use of the Railway Fire Brigade* plant for flree in the city, and when application was made it was not refused. Among the members of the Brigade it was an understood thing that they would turn out to a fire between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. on ordinary days. On Sundays, holidays, and Saturday afternoons they would always attend a fire. At any other times they would not be available, unless specially sent for. When th« fire occurred at Bains Bros., in Manchester street, during the early part of the afternoon the Brigade was specially ordered out by the Traffic Manager, who was of opinion that the fire demanded their services, as it bid fair to be a serious one unless immediate active measures were taken for its suppressior. On the occasion of Hobday's lire everything was in readiness to obey instructions, which were anticipated, but not received. The boiler was warm, it being always kept so by gas, and seven men were in readiness to proceed with the engine to the fire. They subsequently went without it. By the old arrangements Heywood horsed the engine whenever required, but under the present conditions the City Council finds the horsing power. On Wednesday horses were not supplied, nor the engine asked for. It was on this acconnt that the engine did not attend the fire which destroyed Hobday's block.