The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1965. Urlwin Industries Fire

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30725, 14 April 1965, Page 16

The Press WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1965. Urlwin Industries Fire

The tragic fire and explosion in a Masterton plastics factory later in the day underline the good fortune of Christchurch early yesterday morning when fire destroyed a large part of the factory of Urlwin Industries, Ltd. There was no loss of life in the Christchurch fire, and the fire brigade was able to save £lOO,OOO worth of building and plant. It is not depreciating the good work of the firemen, who were not called until the factory at Waltham was blazing almost from end to end, to say that they might not have been so successful if there had been a wind. Had the smoke and flames that whirled vertically for hundreds of feet into a rosy mushroom been blown across the old housing area to the west, the fire might have been truly disastrous. In the circumstances, the brigade did all that could be expected of it. Not the least satisfying part of a very creditable achievement by both officers and men was the response of many firemen off duty when they learned of the fire.

Two questions arising from the fire require the attention of Fire Service authorities and of the Government. Should not all substantial industrial premises, particularly those containing explosive and inflammable materials, have an automatic alarm system? The main part of the Urlwin factory was already doomed before anyone in the sleeping neighbourhood noticed the fire, an interval that might have been fatal on a windy night. New buildings are now required to take such protective measures, and the feasibility of extending the requirement to older buildings should be studied. No reason why it should not be extended is apparent. The second question is whether the strength of the Christchurch brigade is adequate. Urlwin’s fire was contained by about 40 men, which does not seem a great number considering the area of the factory: and another fire even of lesser magnitude at the same time might have strained the resources of the brigade. However, that is a question for the experts, who should, as a matter of course, examine the resources available and the use made of them after every major fire.