Fire damages night shelter

Press, 4 July 1983, Page 9

Fire damages night shelter

Quick action by staff of the Anglican City Mission prevented the spread of a fire at its Hereford Street night shelter on Saturday evening.

The City Missioner, the Rev. David Morrell, said the fire in the lounge adjoining the main bunkroom was almost certainly started by a cigarette left smouldering in a chair. There was no serious structural damage and the night shelter remained open. The alarm was raised at 10.10 p.m., but the fire was extinguished by the time firemen arrived. All 31 occupants had been safely moved out. Mr Morrell said a staff member had fought through

thick smoke to put out the seat of the fire with an extinguisher. The building’s sprinkler system had also worked and there was a fear yesterday that water damage would put the kitchen and dining room out of action. Fortunately the electrical wiring was not damaged, Mr Morrell said. “The smoke damage in the lounge is fairly extensive,” Mr Morrell said. “But with any luck we might have the place completely redone in a fortnight.” Yesterday was spent cleaning the lounge, and its four bunks t were in use again last evening. The night shelter was insured.