Fire Board’s Discussion Of Addington Blaze

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 17

Fire Board’s Discussion Of Addington Blaze

I He was not happy with the water supply available for ‘ fighting the grandstand fire at the Addington trotting ' course on Show Day, said the chief fire officer (Mr L R. Osmond) at a meetii< of the Christchurch Metropoli- • tan Fire Board last evening. but “even if the water i supply had been twice as good the stand could not have been saved.” "The stand was alight in such a way and burning so fiercely when the brigade arrived that the only way to save it would have been to pick it up bodily and drop it in the Estuary, Mr Osmond said. He was answering questions put by members at the board who said that the public were concerned about aspects of the fire, particularly the poor water pressure available to the firemen. The following points were made by the chairman (Mr W. R Campbell) and Mr Osmond:— That no public inquiry into the fire was to be held, as far as was known. That certain inquiries were going on, and the board was in touch with this investigation. That Mr Osmond would have certain recommendations to make concerning an adequate supply of water for fire-fighting at the Addington trotting course and the Show Grounds area in future. That responsibility for the provision of adequate water supplies for firefighting rested with the local bodies and not with the fire boards. Replies to Questions Mr Osmond, answering four questions from Mr A. S. Hollander, said that the alarm was first received from the automatic sprinkler system in the stand. The system was linked with the alarm board at the Central Fire Station. The call was received at 5.1 pm. The first appliance was at the scene at 5.7 pjn., which was good going, considering the traffic. Mr Campbell and Mr Osmond both declined to comment when asked if they considered that the sprinkler system had enough water pressure to make it work efficiently. Mr Osmond said that every head in a sprinkler system did not spray down water simultaneously; only the head affected by the heat from the seat of the fire worked at first. “Those heads were buried by the time we could get near

to where they might have been in the ruins,’ Mr Osmond said. He said that he was not happy with water pressure available to fight the fire. Under ordinary conditions, the pressure would have been adequate. "But with at least 40.000 at the course and at the Show Grounds the demand on water for toilet facilities alone was terrific. Then there was water being used for washing-up, in kitchens, tar drinking. It was a nor’west day and everyone not at the races or the show would have hoses on to gardens in the area while they gardened during the holiday. “It would have taken a 20in main to give the pressure we’ wanted in these circumstances.”

Seat at Fire , Questioned by Mr Hollander and Mr J. R. Smith, Mr Oanond said that even with an ample water supply the water could not have been got to the seat of the fire because of the construction of the stand. The stand was constructed in a series of steps. It was clamped to frames of 4in by 3in, which in turn were supported by frames of lOin by 3in. ‘T don’t think the building could have been saved the way it was alight. These steps are constructed so that there are tunnels in the frames of 18in to 2ft The tunnel under the cafeteria, lounge and other rooms was lined with corrugated iron on the underside to keep out the dust

“We could not get in to force off the iron, and we could not get into the lounge, cafeteria and other rooms because of the blaze. We could not break the end of the tunnels as this would only have created air pressure to force-feed the flames.

“As it was, the building burned like a blast furnace. The rate of burning was terrific. The stand was wide open to the nori-west wind, which builds up air pressure. The fire burnt through the tunnels into the rooms, up the wall cavities to the roof. In my opinion, the building could not have been saved.” Future Position Mr Smith said that he had been with about 60 men the day after the fire and . many had commented on the weak pressure of water the firemen had used. It was most embarrassing, and a criticism of the fire brigade, in a way. Could not the brigade have pumped water from a reservoir? Should not the trotting course company have a reservoir on the grounds? Mr Campbell replied that

water bad been pumped from Barrington street to fight the fire. Mr- Smith said that the water pressure had obviously not been good, and Mr Osmond had declared hamself unhappy about ii. What was going to be the position next November with the »me conditions. 70,000 people crowded into the trotting course and the show grounds? “I think it was very fortunate that someone was not kilted. If fire broke out in the sbow grounds, with people packed in wooden iMMkitaei and canvas tents, aotmala, and so on, it would be a mfrecte if nobody was injured. The brigade would have to fight under the same coodtifons of weak water pressure. as the water would come from the same area.’’ Souree at Wtia Members agreed that although the trotting course was in the Whimairi county it obtained its water supply from the City Council It was suggested that restrictions should be placed on water in the area during Show Week.

“I don’t care what anyone ; says, I still thank part of , the stand could have been ' saved if the water pressure had been good.” Mr Smith . said. “We will face this same hazard every year if > nothing is done. I think good ! water pressure should be assured wherever people con- ; gregate in targe crowds and ■ there is danger of fire.” i Mr T. F. Perkin said that , the board should make rel commendations to the local i authorities. There had been ( three major fires at racecourses in Show Week this 1 century. ! In reply to members’ ques- • tions, Mr Campbell said the ■ board would make a “full 1 statement” on the fire when • inquiries being made were completed. He thought it 1 most inadvisable for the board to make a statement ’ before that. ' Mr Smith: But you will • agree that the public are entiled to know what our chief ’ fire officer has told us tonight.