MENTAL HOSPITAL FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 December 1942, Page 6

MENTAL HOSPITAL FIRE

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

WELLINGTON, December 23

The Minister of Health (Mr Nordmeyer) announces the setting up of a commission to inquire into the circumstances of the fire at Seacliff Mental Hospital on December 8, when 37 patients lost their lives. It consists of Mr Bundle, S.M., Miss J. A. Tomlinson, lady superintendent of the Dunedin Public Hospital, and Mr F. C. LaidlrAv, superintendent of the Dunedin Fire Brigade. The Commission will inquire whether the building in which the patients were housed was dangerous in respect to fire hazards; whether sucli danger existed by reason of any defects in construc-tiou, whether the tire alarm .system was adequate: whether the fire brigade was effectively trained and used;.whether the iigiitmg equipment was adequate: whether the sup&rvj fieri oi. pail mis by lilt- '.Lui ..a all limes of the day or Oigiil was adequate; whether there

was any uereiiciiOii oi. duly on the part of any member of the .staff, and '.vfirlher any praclicabie steps could be taken to reduce fire hazards of the inslitutiuii, and similar institutions: and generally to i,eport upon such other matters as should be brought io the attention of the Government.

The Commission is to meet after the holidays, and report before March