FIRE IN DUNEDIN HALL

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 10

FIRE IN DUNEDIN HALL

INTERIOR DAMAGED BLAZE SUBDUED IN TWENTY MINUTES (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, November 5. Fire which broke out on the stage of Burns Hall in the grounds of First Church shortly after 2 a.m. today, damaged the interior of the building. The -Are brigade made a good save and prevented the spread of the blaze, but a considerable amount of water soaked through to the main Dunedin studios of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in the basement When the fire was first noticed about 2.35 a-m- dense black smoke was pouring out from the roof of the hall, with occasional flashes of flame, and a bright blaze could be seen through the upper windows. Three leads of water were immediately brought to bear and within 20 minutes the fire was subdued. The firemen concentrated on salvage work, particularly in the broadcasting studios A considerable number of bulky musical instruments used by the 4YA Orchestra were stored on the studio stage immediately below where the fire occurred. These and furnishings were covered, and sawdust strewn on the floor to soak up the moisture. Thousands of pounds worth of recording and other equipment was installed at the other end of the building, and this also was affected by water dripping from above.