HOW THE FIRE ORIGINATED. A THEORY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 74, 28 March 1914, Page 6

HOW THE FIRE ORIGINATED. A THEORY.

(«Y TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) CHRISTCHURCH, 27th March. A reporter had a short talk with" Dr. I Gow, medical superintendent of the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, this morning. The doctor said that he had formed a I new theory with regard to the origin of | the fire. " We/ do our best to wage war on birds," he said, "and take 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 engine room set alight to some nest material under the roof, and so started the blaze. "Last night (continued Dr. Gow) we applied to the Railway Department 1 for the use of tarpaulins to cover the broken roof in case of rain, but the permanent roofing-in. of the ward will have to be carried out at once. As a matter of fact the general damage is less than we j 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 fire 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 course, it will render the working of the institution even more inconvenient/ than usual. At present tne hospital staff is working hard to clean up all the mess and render the ward where the fire took place habitable."