DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE ASYLUM PATIENTS REMOVED WITHOUT HITCH.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 72, 26 March 1914, Page 8

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE ASYLUM PATIENTS REMOVED WITHOUT HITCH.

(IT TILEGMPH--PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A fire broke out in the women's waid of tbc Sunnyside Asylum about 9.50 this morning. A patient's scream attracted Dr. Gow, who gave the alarm. All the patients were removed without hitch, but the effects were destroyed. At mid-day the tire was got under. It was confined to the women's ward. ' Later. The fire at the asylum was discovered in the at/tic by Nurse Bennett, who rang the bell-alai'ms. The Fire Brigade was on the scene from the city in seven minutes. The fire was confined to one wing of the women's ward, the whole wing being gutted. It is believed the cause of the fire was a spark entering a ventilator. The same portion of the building was burnt twenty-five years ago. EXCITED' WOMEN. SHRIEKS AND "GESTICULATIONS. (IT TZLEGRirH.— SPECIAL TO THI POST.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The first sign of the outbreak was a wisp of smoke, followed by a tongue of flame, right in the centre, of the big ward for women, then thronged with patients. Women screamed and attracted the attention of a nurse, who immediately gave the alarm. The task of removing the large body of irresponsible patients was carried out quickly. In the fire twenty-five years ago the outbreak occurred in the same place. The brigade concentrated its main efforts on confining the outbreak to the stone building. The assistance of bystanders and a number of men patients was given, but until mid-day it was still uncertain whether the older portion of the asylum would be saved. At the back of the building about 9)0 women patients, with attendants, were gathered in a large enclosure. Some of the women were shrieking and gesticulating at the fire ; others were watching it with rapt attention. The fire will seriously increase overcrowding, which has already been the subject for many complaints. When you see the Fire Brigade rushing along the street, think of the British Dominions General Insurance Company, Panama-street. They cover all losses by fire. — Advt.