JOHN BURNS FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 4

JOHN BURNS FIRE

HUGE CLAIM AGAINST POWER BOARD

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, February 18.

Following the destructive fire at the premises of John Burns and Company, Limited, in Customs Street, Auckland, on August 19, 1941, when .. extensive damage was caused to buildings and contents and an employee of the firm, Francis Harold Baker, suffered injuries while escaping from the building and from which he later died, two writs claiming damages have been issued.

A writ claiming £225,188 damages against the Auckland Electric Power Board was issued by Goldstine, O'Donnell, and Wilson, solicitors for John Burns and Company, Limited, for damage caused to the building and stock by fire as the result of alleged negligence on the part of the Power Board Divers breaches of statutory duty are alleged, the main allegation being in regard to the failure of the Power Board to exercise its statutory obligations as set out in the'respective regulations concerning electric installations.

A writ has been issued by Mr. A. K. North. Auckland,- on behalf of the Public Trustee as executor of the estate of the late Mr. Baker claiming £4050 damages on behalf of his widow and children against John Burns and Company, Limited, the Auckland Electric Power Board, and H. K. Brown and Company. It alleges that Baker's death was due to injuries received while'trying to escape from the fire, that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, and that the short circuit occurred by reason of a breach by the Power Board and John Burns and Company of their statutory duties. It also alleges that H. K. Brown and Company were guilty of negligence.