ORIGIN OF ASYLUM FIRE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2109, 28 March 1914, Page 7

ORIGIN OF ASYLUM FIRE

DR. GOW'S THEORY. SPARK IN NEST IN THE EAVES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christchuroh, March 27. A reporter, had a short talk with Dr. Gow, Medicai Superintendent of the Sunnysido Mental Hospital, this morning. . The doctor said that ho had formed a now theory with regard to tho origin of tho fire. "We do our best to wage: war on birds," he said, "and tako all possible precautions, to prevent them from building in the eaves, ,but it is difficult to'keep all nests clear, and I think that it is possible that a spark from the eilgine-room set alight to some nest material under tho roof, and so started tho blaze.

. "Last night (continued Dr. Gov) we applied' tb ; ,tho' Railway Department for the use of tarpaulins to cover the broken roof in case of rain, but the permanent rooflng-in of the ward will have to be oarried out at once. As a matter of fact the general damage is less than wo expected, and only two of the beds are actually burnt. All the inmates of the institution slept comfortably last night. ■Everything was quiet, and there was no trouble. Downstairs there is nothing damaged by firo~ at all, and the only harm that has been received was caused by the deluge of water. I think that we shall be .'able to carry on until'all repairs, are' made by using the day rooms as dormitories, but, of courso, it will render the working of the institution even more inconvenient than usual., At present the hospital staff is working hard to clean up all the mess and render the ward where the fire took place habitable." • .