FIRE IN DANCE HALL

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26186, 9 August 1950, Page 3

FIRE IN DANCE HALL

DAMAGE CAUSED BY WATER Part of the floor of the rooms occupied by the Christchurch branch of the Society of Magicians above the Realm Hall, in Gloucester street, Christchurch, and a strip of the root of the hall were burnt out by fire early yesterday morning. The fire was firkt noticed by Mr Thomas Mcßride, nightwatchman at Hay’s, Ltd. He saw smoke coming from the roof of the Realm Hall and promptly telephoned the brigade. The time was 3.24 am. The fire in the Realm Hall was confined to the roof, but water poured through the burnt-out portion and soaked about one-third of the dance floor. Water also soaked table cloths on dining tables and spoiled tea and J he uses i n front section of the hall were burnt out Sawdust spread over the floor of the hall prevented further damage by water Rooms occupied by the Christchurch branch of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children on the first floor of the building were also damaged by water. ~ “T 11 ?, management would like to thank the brigade for a very good r save -’ S^ id th ® proprietor of the hall (Mr C. Coman) last evening. He said every effort would be made to have the hall m use again by to-day. The iront section of the hall had to be rewired. The building is insured.