Fire Losses Analysed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 3

Fire Losses Analysed

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 21. Insurance companies paid out £2.9 million during 1965 for fire damage, the Government Statistician (Mr J. V. T. Baker) said today.

Of this, £2.2 million was paid out for fires occurring during 1965 and the balance for fires in earlier years, he said. In 1964, the total was £3.1 million, of which £1.9 million was paid out for• fires occurring in 1964 and the balance for fires in earlier years. “While precise information is not available on uninsured fire losses, this has been estimated by the fire prevention authorities at a further 15 per

cent of the total fire losses given,” Mr Baker said. Thpre was a marked con centration of fire-loss payments during the winter per iod, he said. More than 86 per cent of payments were made for fires in urban areas. Mr Baker said sparks and embers from copper fires and open fireplaces were the most common causes of fires Other common causes were radiators igniting clothes and other objects and smokers throwing away lighted cigarettes and matches. During 1965, 38,690 payments were made. Half of these resulted from fires started by sparks, lighted cigar ettes or matches, and electric radiators igniting other materials. In spite of the number of claims for fires started from these causes, they accounted for only 12 per cent of the total amount of loss paid, he said. “Value losses from tin known causes were 49 per cent of the total amount of loss paid during the year, al though unknown causes were the basis in less than 6 per cent of the number of payments,” he said. One hundred and fortyseven payments were made for losses caused by arson and incendiarism.

Bulldozers First.—Peru’s Senate yesterday voted to postpone the destruction of Lima’s “red light” district—but bulldozers had already moved in on the heels of departing prostitutes. Lima. April 21. E.E.C. Treaty.—The European Common Market will sign a special trade treaty with its first English-speak-ing country, Nigeria, on June 1. say Common Market delegates.—Brussels, April 21.