EXHIBITION FIRE HAZARD

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 12

EXHIBITION FIRE HAZARD

Brigadesmen Always On

WATCHMEN PATROL AT NIGHT From discussion at the last meeting of the Wellington Fire Board it was evident that the insurance company representatives in Wellington are alert to the fire risk of the huge buildings at Rongotai Exhibition, all of which are now enclosed, except the large British and Australian courts, ou the eastern side of the block. It seems Hurt a fire would have to have a very good hold before discovery if it were to develop to any great extent. Not only.is there a water supply leading right into the grounds and buildings, equal to that in any part of the city, but there are alarms ail over the place, and water curtains in the main buildings, that should tend to isolate any incipient outbreak. At the same time, nothing can be left to chance. The fire hazard is recognized by the superintendent of the fire brigade, Mr. C. A. Woolley, who, this week, increased the staff on the job from three to four men. With these men living and working on the exhibition lot, it will lie possible to draw up a rota, which will mean patrol duty throughout the 24 hours of each day. Members of the brigade will not be the only ones on watch. The contractors employ a night watchman to patrol the buildings throughout the night, while there is another watchman always on duty in the building containing the Waitomo Caves model. The members of the brigade have their own station and quarters at the. southern end of the office building within the grounds, immediately to the south of the , Kingsford Smith Street entrance. There a Dennis engine is kept in readiness for any emergency, and, 5 beside it, divided only by a door, arc the sleeping quarters of the men. With trn alarm system extending to the station, there should be no undue delay in a turnout from that point, which opens out ou to a 30-foot roadway, with splendid roads leading to all points of the exhibition buildings.