HELP FROM CITY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 8

HELP FROM CITY

Fire Engine Sent

With the resources of the Akaroa Volunteer Fire Brigade fully committed in fighting the Hotel Metropole Are, and the danger that wind might rise and sweep the fire right through the central part of Akaroa township, a call was made for help to the Christchurch Fire Brigade. The call was put through by the Akaroa Postmaster (Mr O. Millard) just before toll communication from Akaroa was disrupted by the fire. An engine was sent from Christchurch, and arrived at 3.15 a.m. A number of firemen, under the Christchurch brigade's Chief Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond), were also sent to Akaroa by car. However, by the time these reinforcements had arrived, the fire had been contained. Detective Chief Inspector Macdonald Brown, DetectiveSergeent L. D. Harrowfleld, and Detective T. Knowles also went to Akaroa and, after inspecting the ruins of the hotel and recovering two bodies, spent the day taking statements from persons who escaped from the hotel, assisted by the two Akaroa constables. Constable J. Rudhall, and Constable C. C. Curtis. The courthouse, opposite the hotel, was turned into a temporary office, in spite of having its windows broken by heat from the fire, and glass falling from them throughout the morning. A pathologist from Christchurch, Dr. C. T. B. Pearson, was also sent for to identify remains recovered from the ruins of the hotel. An inquest into the death of Thomas James Crotty will be opened before the Coroner (Mr A T. Bell) in Christchurch today. The other three bodies recovered have yet to be legally identified.

Lucky Error One man who escaped from the Hotel Metropole fire in Akaroa early yesterday morning was lucky to save his car, which was parked in an alleyway beside the hotel. The man has an invariable rule always to remove the keys from his car when he leaves it parked, no matter for how short a time. Having escaped from the hotel with nothing but the trousers he had pulled on, he was determined at least to save his car. But running towards the car and feeling in his trouser pocket, he was dismayed to find that the keys were not there, and that he must have left them in the hotel bedroom. By a lucky chance, he tried the car door, and to his surprise found it opened. And to his surprise—and relief—he saw the keys still in the ignition. Not regretful of his error, he lost no time in driving his car off to safety. Other cars parked near the hotel, and in the hotel garage at the rear, were also saved.