RECENT FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26393, 11 April 1951, Page 8

RECENT FIRE IN CHRISTCHURCH

DISCUSSION BY FIRE BOARD

OPENING IN DIVIDING WALL

A question whether a permit was given to make an opening in a dividing wall in a billiards room in Stranges building, where a big fire occurred on Saturday, will be asked of the City Council by the Christchurch Fire Board. The opening was described in a discussion at last evening's meeting of the board as a weak, vital spot, and being of plyboard and fibreboard and unprotected by a fire door. Appreciation of the work of the brigade at the fire was expressed by the chairman 'Mr T. M. Charters). He said he was sure all members would wish to be associated with his remarks. With Superintendent A. Morrison, he had made a very complete inspection of the building and he could say that in his 25 years’ experience he had never seen a fire with such potentialities so capably handled. Without efficient leadership and team work, the fire would have been much greater. The margin was a specially thin one. Sound appreciation of the situation brought forces to bear on the weak and vital spots, and a much greater disaster was averted.

Mr W. R. Campbell: Will you revert to that fire later in the meeting? Mr Charters: No. Do you want to make an observation?

“Yes—the hazard of cutting of holes in brick walls.’’ replied Mr Campbell. “It is an old subject which has exercised the attention of the board in the past. I refer particularly to the breaking of the wall separating Strange’s building and that occupied by Thorpy and others on the western side. You see a hole cut in what was a sound parapet brick wall. Fortunately, the fire was prevented from breaking through there.” Mr Charters: That was the weak and vital spot I had in mind. The opening, said Mr Campbell, was protected by light plyboard, with fibreboard on the other side. He suggested that the board inquire from the City Council whether a permit had been granted to open up the wall. “I am not suggesting that the City Council has been remiss.” said Mr Campbell. “You remember that on the last occasion w’hen we discussed the breaking of holes in brick walls we addressed the inquiry to the City Council and we found that it was not the fault of the council and that the break had been done without a permit. That was less than two years ago.”

Mr Charters said the inquiry was proner. The vital .weak link in the buildings was appreciated, and the fire further illustrated how essential it was that dividing walks should not be broken

Questions by Members “Was not the hole referred to protected by a fire-proof door?” asked Mr N. R. Forbes. Mr Charters: No. It was made to give room for four extra billiards tables.

"There should be no wood work near the opening,” said Mr F. Clissold. . Mr Charters: There should be no wood work if it is to be efficient. “If the work has been done without a permit, what action can this board take?” asked Mr T. Martin. "It is for the council to take action: it is for the council to decide,” replied Mr Charters. "This matter cropped un very seriously several years ago. This ooening is not something that has been done in the last six or 12 months, but oerhaps in the last six years. The point we want to ascertain is whether the council did give permission for the opening to be done. If it did not, it remains for the council to take some action.”

Mr Martin: Supposing the council does give permission, does it get the opinion of the Fire B,ard?

Mr Charters: Yes. That is the normal procedure, is it not Mr Morrison? The council refers it first to you? Superintendent Morrison: Yes. Tightening Up” ‘Tt is no use asking for fire escapes and things like that when we have jobs going on which encourage or contribute to a fire such as Ballantynes. which I have in mind.” said Mr Martin.

Some things were done in- the past but conditions were very severely tightened un in the last few years, replied Mr Charters.

Mr Campbell said the result of the inquiry to the council might be some action to close up some of the holes driven in buildings in the city in the past. Strange’s building was not alone. Other buildings had been opened up. If the work was necessary, the openings should have been protected by fire doors.

"That should have been done in the block areas,” commented Mr Charters. "I think the general attitude of the council is considerablv stronger than perhaps it was in the past"