FIRE LOSSES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 186, 4 May 1929, Page 4

FIRE LOSSES

REPORT OF WELLINGTON BRIGADE INADEQUATE PENALTIES FOR FALSE ALARMS Tie superintendent of the Wellington Fire Brigade, in reporting to the Fire Board upon the working of the brigade for the year ended March 31, 1929, states that the number of calls attended was 494, showing an increase of 30 as compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. The actual fires were 38; and false alarms 106, and of this number 36 were maliciously given. The estimated loss of property covered by insurance was £54,424, and the estimated loss of property not covered £10,467, the total loss being £64,891. The estimated value of property on which fires occurred was £2,115.974, and the insurance on property on which fires occurred, £1,117,454. “I am pleased to report that during the nine months the city escaped any serious conflagration,” continues Mr. J. Creke. “In one fire the damage exceeded £lO,OOO, three exceeded £5OOO, and nineteen exceeded £lOOO. The most serious fire occurred at 110-112 Wakefield Street, where the property of three firms was severely damaged by fire and water. “During the nine months one life was lost, caused by an explosion of a tin of methylated spirits. Three cases of severe burns received at fires, and nineteen minor cases are recorded. First aid was rendered in all cases by the brigade, and, where necessary, the injured persons were conveyed to the hospital. Since mv last report three persons have been tried for arson, and in all cases the accused were found guilty. In two cases the sentence imposed was seven years and five jvears. The third case, that of a boy 14J, years old, was dealt with iu the Children's Court. One person was convicted and fined £2 and costs for giving a false alarm to the brigade. In my opinion the fine imposed was totally inadequate to meet such a case. For the past two years the brigade has been called out to 92 malicious false alarms, and the above instance is the only one where sufficient evidence was obtained to secure a conviction. Two inquiries into fires of suspicious origin were held, one by the Coroner and one by the Police Department. In both cases the verdict was ’Wilfully set alight by some person or persons unknown.’ “The Khandallab station was opened on June 28, on the Main Road, Khandallah. The premises are temporarily rented pending the erection of a permanent station for this district. A company of seven volunteers have been enrolled, "and a motor hose carriage installed. “Since my report on permanent stations, correspondence has passed between the City Council and the Fire Board relating to the present site of the central fire station, Mercer Street. Negotiations regarding the taking over of this site are still under consideration. It is to be hoped that during the ensuing year finality will be reached, and definite plans will be proceeded with to house permanently the appliances and staff at the central station. “The discipline and Efficiency of the service has been well maintained, and I am pleased to report that the officers and staff continue to take a keen interest in the performance of their duties.”