INQUIRY INTO FIRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22242, 30 January 1947, Page 3

INQUIRY INTO FIRE

FOOTWEAR FACTORY ESTIMATED £65,000 LOSS (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 30. An inquest into a lire which destroyed the footwear factory of Duckworth Turner and Company, Limited, at Carlyle street, Sydenham, on the night of August 19 and the morning of August 20 was opened before the coroner, Mr F. F. Reid, yesterday. The fire damage was estimated at £65.000. Mr C. G. Penlinglon represented the Christchurch Fire Board. Mr J. D. Hutchison the Vigilant Automatic Fire Alarm Company and Mr A. W Brown the Post and Telegraph Department, responsible for the circuit between the premises of Duckworth, Turner Limited and the Post Office. Before the proceedings commenced the coroner said the statement that the inquest was being held by the direction of a magistrate was not correct. The lire board had applied lor an inquest and it was then the duty of the coroner to make arrangements.

Mr Penlington said that evidence would be given by material witnesses on the cause of the fire and the failure of the fire alarm. The Automatic Vigilant Fire Alarm Company had three circuits and the fire board controlled the remainder of a K circuit which extended ns far as the Sunnvside Mental Hospital. There were 19 other installations on the circuit. After hearing evidence the coroner adjourned the proceedings.