A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25362, 9 December 1947, Page 5

A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP

Sir, —I am astonished at Mr Morrison’s comment. It amounts virtually to a plea for inaction. It cannot, however, condone for obliviousness in the past, nor a shut-eye policy now. It would befit him far better to own mistake. Just imagine a would-be helper trying (without tools) to tear the already jammed innards from the stile, even if the degree of heat allowed the necessary nearness. Let the public keep in mind the American cinema hellish actuality. Are we to wait for a similar possible horror here to goad us to prevention? I have always admired, honoured, and respected firemen and officers, but they should wake up to the sure danger of these rat-trap cage exits. —Yours, etc., SAFETY FIRST FOR SURE. December 8, 1947.

Sir,—Several years’ experience as examiner of ‘fire risks enables one to substantiate misgivings about the revolving doors of some places of public resort. Even the able-bodied find them not easy to get through. To the aged and infirm the women and children, to all who are burdened with impedimenta they are a serious embarrassment. That they can be collapsed is true. But hardly one in a thousand knows how. Even when collapsed they leave exit spaces all too narrow. In case of fire they are, unquestionably. ‘potential death traps. We cannot afford to await the unwinding of the red tape twisted about them. They should be condemned without hesitation, and their immediate removal insisted on.—Yours, etc., W.M. December 8, 1947.