FIRES IN 1918.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16408, 31 December 1918, Page 4

FIRES IN 1918.

The total number of calls to firos or supposed fires during 1918 was 147. 0£ these, 33 were for malicious false alarms, 12 for false alarms from variI ous causes, 23 for chimney fires, 3 for gorsc fires, 2 for fires outside tho fire district, and 72 for actual fires within the city. Although many outbreaks occurred in largo business premises and -warehouses during tho year, there were no very serious fires, and tho losses were comparatively small when compared' whh the values of the buildings and contents involved. Qlns was in a large measuro due to the promptitude of tho brigade and the effective manner in "which the fires were dealt with. ■ . As an outcome of tho Silver Cricl fire, vast improvements were carried out by the civic authorities for the better exit of persons residing in buildings over glass verandahs. It is not general!v known that owners of private dwellings of more than one storey from tho street level are compelled to provide sufficient means of escapo in case of lire, and owners of such pic— miscs should see that this matter is attended to, in their own interests and thoso of their tenants. Two persons were convicted in the Supremo Court on arson charges during the voir, and sentenced to reformative treatment, and one was fined in tho Magistrate's Court for giving a faJso ahum of fire to the brigade. The latter action is an _ exceedingly dangerous one (at times involving tho loss of life), and persons committing this class of offence are liable to imprisonment for one mouth, or to a tine of £50. The number of malicious false alarms showed an increase, and tho citizens, in their own interests, should co-operate as far as possible with the lire brigade, in detecting such culprits and bringing "them to justice. The disastrous eonsequcuces attendant on largo buildings and contents being destroyed by fire, with the serious dislocation of business, should be sufficient to -warrant owners lof properties considering the advisability of installing an efficient system of automatic alarm, and connecting their premises direct with the fire station. The Board have installed a new set of batteries and switchboards at headquarters station for the purpose of getting the best possible reI suits from ilio various automatic de- ■ tectors. Au additional motor turbine fir© engine, 50-55 8.H.1*., 300-400 gallon per minute capacity, is expected to arrive shortly, and also a further supply of fire hose, and another smoke helmet apparatus. One 35-foot telescopic ladder was landed quite recently. The brigade has been greatly depleted-dur-ing the past four years by many of its members resigning for military service, and as suitable men were not obtainable to fill' their positions, the brigade has in consequence worked very much below its usual strength. It is hoped now that the war has ended that sufficient men will be available to brine the staff up to full strength. Two old members of the permanent- staff, Motor-Foreman Davis and Fireman Gash, died during the year, and their loss was very deeply felt bv their comrades. Matters have been under consideration from timo to -time in regard to xeticuiating those parts of tho outer jireas -where at present no high pressure water supply is obtainable, but owing to the necessary materials being 'cither prohibitive in cost, or in many j eases unprocurable, the work lias been i'lield over for tho present.