Facts of fire to be public

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32789, 14 December 1971, Page 1

Facts of fire to be public

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 13. The facts surrounding the tragic loss of life as a result of the fire in Wellington early on Saturday morning would definitely be made public, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said in a statement today.

Five men died in the fire in a private hotel.

Mr Seath said that the Coroner had a legal responsibility to determine the cause of death and would in the normal course of events bring to light any contributing factors. In addition, the Secretary of Internal Affairs had already called for an urgent report from the Fire Service Council. Further action would be taken on the facts as disclosed in the report and the inquest The Minister said he wanted to make it clear that the building came within the ambit of legislation passed in 1968 making it obligatory for local authorities to en-

sure when licensing boarding houses and apartment buildings that fire safety standards were adequate. Before buildings of this nature were licensed they must be inspected by a qualified officer of the local fire brigade. “I am advised that the building in question was in fact licensed by the Wellington City Council after requisitions made by the council on the owner for improvements had been effected,” he said. “A fire prevention officer of the Wellington Fire Brigade accompanied the City Council inspector on at least two occasions during this year when the building was inspected for annual licensing purposes,” Mr Seath said.