WAREHOUSE FIRE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 19

WAREHOUSE FIRE

Criticism Of Reports

A report in the newspapers saying that a fire in the warehouse of Wardells, Ltd., last month had gutted the building and caused damage estimated at £60,000 was criticised by the Christchurch Metropolitan Fire Board last evening. Mr T. H. Boyle said that a report said the managingdirector of the firm, Mr A. E. Alsop, had estimated the damage at £60,000. Another report, published in newspapers outside Christchurch, had said that the four-storey building was gutted. “The building was not gutted. As I understand the meaning of the word, only the four walls and possibly the roof, the shell of it, are left when a building is gutted.” Mr Boyle' said. “The damage was nothing like £60,000.” A member: £5OOO would cover it. Mr Boyle: It was reported that only two jets of water were used. Anyone knowing anything about fire-fighting would think the brigade negligent if a four-storey building had been gutted with £60,000 damage and only two jets used. He said that no statistics had been given by Mr Alsop to support his estimate of £60,000. The estimate and report that the building had been gutted reflected on the firemen and was unfair to them. The chairman (Mr W. R. Campbell): It would be fair to say that it was a small fire. It could have been a serious one. w Boyle: In other words, the brigade made a splendid save. Mr J. R. Smith: I would agree with that.