THE FIRE MENACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10510, 14 February 1928, Page 5

THE FIRE MENACE.

THIRTEEN OUTBREAKS AR-

READY THIS YEAR

RANGER' OF WEAK WATER SUPPLY.

SUPT. KANE’S HINT .TO HOUSE HOLDERS. •

“Yes,” said Superintendent- -J. Kane, in reply to a question by a Times reporter last night “there have been more fires in the first six weeks of this year than in the corresponding term of 1927. Eor the period mentioned last year the brigade turned out six times, but this year we have been called out on fourteen occasions. The most important outbreaks this year have been those at Cave’s timber mill, at the Gisborne Brewery, and at Mr J. R. Kirk’s residence. During ‘ the early part of last year we had no such serious outbreaks as these, but on February 2b last occurred the most disastrous blaze of the year, which resulted in the destruction of the Gisborne Motor Service Garage in Lowe Street and on Read’s Quay. “Three of the outbreaks this year,” continued Supt. Kane, “were undoubtedly due to the sane cause, stowing "an iron or kettle holdei, often made of wool, into cupboards or shelves where inllammable material is stored. In the hot weather people are naturally anxious to get quit of a holder as soon as possible. They forget it may catch fire over the gas or the range, and as soon as the pot or kettle is lifted off the holder is naturally thrown away. It therefore behoves housewives to be especially careful during the hot weather.” Naturally, during the dry spell, ■continued Supt. Kane, there are more fires than in mid-winter, foi it is so easy for anything to catch alight. Yet this is the worst time for the brigade because of the uncertainty of the water supply. With the pipeline in its present condition, it would probably mean, if a fire, occurred in the centre of the town when the water is shut olf, that it would spread to a big conflagration. The average pressure a few weeks ago was about oOlbs to the square inch, whereas in, normal times, say midwinter, the pressure is lOOlbs to the square inch. Since the publication of a notice asking householders not to run hoses carelessly, the pressure has increased of late to TOlbs. In this connection Supt. Kane gave a very useful hint to the public. When' the siren went, he said, if people would only be considerate enough to turn off all hoses, it would mean a ureatlv increased pressure. Suppose forty half-inch hoses were running from a four-inch main at the time of an outbreak, it needed little calculation to see what, a difference that would make. Multiply the forty hoses by five or ten, and the result would at once be seen to be serious. Therefore, for the safety ol others, if householders would turn off all taps and hoses while the brigade is fighting a fire, it would mean additional power to quell the flames. OUTBREAK IN WASHHOUSE. The epidemic of fires .Jiat has been prevailing in Gisborne lately had another one added to its list- last nhdit, when an outbreak occ lined about 9.30 in Mr G. A. Nicholls residence, 368 Stout Street. Mrs Nicholls was sitting on the trout verandah when she heard an explosion in the back. On going out to investigate she found the wash-house in flames. The prompt action ot Mr. Nalder and Miss Saddler, two neighbors, in running a hose into the wash-house probably saved it from beiim totally demolished. The bri<rade\vere quickly upon the scene and were successful in extinguishing the flames before they had spread to the kitchen. The damage amounted to a scorched wall in the wash-house and water in the kitchen.