Hospital’s fifth arson attempt

Press, 12 November 1981, Page 4

Hospital’s fifth arson attempt

PA Dunedin Detectives are probing what is thought to be the fifth arson attempt in six days at the Dunedin Hospital's new ward block. The police were called to the ward block again on Tuesday evening after burning material was found in the basement area. Although the sprinkler system was not set off, a police spokesman said, there was much smoke. He believes it was rubbish which ignited. The incident occurred at 10.15 p.m. Four other fires on ward block floors were deliberately lit on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday nights. All four fires were put out by the hospital sprinkler system.

The police are also investigating the turning off of power to a refrigerator at the ward block last week-end which ruined stored blood. The medical superintend-ent-in-chief of the Otago Hospital Board, Dr K. E. Berendsen, said he was unsure of the amount of blood lost, but the loss had not interfered with the treatment of patients. “I have no doubt it has all been replaced by now,” he said. Dr Berendsen said it was regrettable to have to ask donors to come to replace the lost blood, but unfortunately this was necessary. He said he did not know how long the refrigerator was without power.