INCENDIARY BOMBS

Evening Star, Issue 24081, 30 December 1941, Page 6

INCENDIARY BOMBS

DEMONSTRATION OF EXTINGUISHING METHODS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec, 29. A further demonstration of the use of water from a hose, pump, and bucket in extinguishing incendiary bombs, of the magnesium alloy-thermite fired typo was given this morning at the Wellington Central Fire Station before the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, the Minister of Supply, Mr Sullivan, the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, the Assistant Minister of National Service, Mr Wilson, and the heads of several Government departments. The demonstration proved conclusively that water used in any form in quantity is by far the most expeditious and effective method of extinguishing incendiaries of this type, though sand still has value in retarding the violence of the flame of the bomb., Both standard and explosive incendiaries were , extinguished during the tests. It has always been stated that to throw a jet of water, as distinct from a spray of water, on an incendiary is most dangerous. In fact bombs were extinguished within seconds by a straight jet. The Prime Minister said the demonstrations had impressed him with tha efficacy of the methods, and had proved how comparatively simply incendiary bombs could be extinguished if people were on the spot to reach them where they fell. For that reason propertyowners should maintain a constant watch upon buildings. Air Fraser easily put out two blazing bombs by dropping them in a bucket oT water.