No Water To Fight Fire In Waikouaiti

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30448, 23 May 1964, Page 19

No Water To Fight Fire In Waikouaiti

(N Z. Press Association—Copyright)

DUNEDIN, May 22. Fire destroyed a butcher’s shop in Waikouaiti and threatened the whole west side of the town's shopping area early this morning. No water was available for fighting the fire, as the water main from the reservoir was cut by a Waihemo countygrader last night The butcher’s shop was owned by Mr T. Donaldson Two adjacent buildings—a drapery store owned by Mr O. L. Kerr and a general store owned by Mr A. E. Wilkinson—were slightly damaged. Firemen at the scene said that even a small breeze would have resulted in the destruction of a large part of the town.

After exhausting three small household tanks of water, firemen had to depend on a Waikouaiti contractor. Mr A. J. Bradley, who brought water from Cherry Farm in a 100-gallon tank. The fire broke out at about 4 a.m. The normal water supply was not restored until 8.15 a.m.

For Mr Donaldson the loss of his business was the latest in a series of mishaps. He has been in the business for three months. Soon after he took over his van was seriously damaged in an accident. Two of his three children have been ill recently-

Residents were irate at the interrupted water supply—the second time in three years that fire-fighting in Waikouaiti has been hampered by lack of water—but rallied round to help Mr Donaldson.

By 8 a.m. he had been offered the temporary use of two premises, and a relief fund had been started. Donations were left at the borough council chambers throughout the day.