FIRE IN TOWN HALL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 5

FIRE IN TOWN HALL

Outbreak During Contest

Cries of “Fire!” from the audience listening to the men’s operatic solos yesterday at the Town Hail, where the Wellington competitions are being held, attracted the attention of the otucials and competitors behind the scenes to a curtain aflame on the stage. The curtain was destroyed before the fire was extinguished, but no other damage of consequence was done. The fire brigade was not called. Defective electrical equipment is thought to have been the cause. The temporary stage and proscenium are in use in the hall, and the audience was in a better position to see what was happening than were the officials. Mr. Ronald Cowie, one of the competitors, was on the stage, and at the cry he jumped to the curtain, a small flimsy one measuring about five feet by ten feet, and. assisted by others, ; pulled it down and beat out the fire. Mr. Cowie received slight but painful burns. One of those who assisted in the extinction of the fire was Mr. Victor Woodward, of Wellington, a police constable, who was the next competitor to sing, and who won the class. Mr. Cowie was very highly commended. ■ .