FIRE FROM HEATER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30212, 17 August 1963, Page 15

FIRE FROM HEATER

Board Hears Report

A fire in an industrial building in Shortland street last Monday, which severely damaged two business premises and resulted in the owner of one being burned, was started when a sala-mander-type heater was accidentally overturned, the Chief Fire Officer (Mr L. R. Osmond) reported to the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board last evening. The board, in recent months, has had reports of several fires being caused by salamander-type heaters, and has written to the Fire Service Council drawing attention to the dangerous fire risks entailed in the sale and use of that type of heater, and also of the oil-drip type. Mr Osmond, reporting on the Shortland street fire, said the fire began in a caravan factory. The heater was accidentally knocked over when a caravan was being moved. “Such was the rapid spread of the fire that the owner of the business was burned and had to be taken to hospital,” he said. “The floor was burned right through near the heater. The fire spread to an adjoining business. A con-crete-block wall saved the third business in the building.” In reply to questions, the chairman (Mr W. R. Campbell) said the Fire Service Council had acknowledged the board’s report on the dangers of the type of heater. The council had not yet discussed the board’s report.