ARMY STORES

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1945, Page 2

ARMY STORES

INQUIRY INTO SHOWGROUND. PALMERSTON N., March 22. A Coroner’s inquiry into the Showgrounds camp fire on December 31 was resumed to-day by Mr Lawry, S.M. The Fire Brigade Superintendent, Mr Milverton, gave evidence of doing work on two fire alarms at the Showgrounds on December 31, in order to trace the trouble caused in the general alarm system of the city. After the fault had been. located at the Showgrounds, this being due to vibration from heavy motor traffic, it was decided to cut out the Showground loop, from the alarm system. Witness advised the military authorities of the steps taken, and alarm boxes were marked “out of order.” He was at the fire station at midmight on December 31. Twelve minutes later a man called and said there was a fire at the Showgrounds. Witness could see it from the doorway. The general alarm was sounded, and three fire engines were despatched. When Witness arrived the lire was through the roof. It did not appear in the cookhouse until later. From his observations there it was a roof fire. The interior of the ordnance building was black. He could see no smoke, but the bolts on a door were too hot to touch. The fire spread along the roof, and could not be stopped. On many occasions he had examined the ordnance stores as to fire hazard. The Army’s first-aid equipment was in good order. The method of storage • was the best under the means availI able. Witness had made a number of recommendations about the reduction of fire hazard, and these were always carried out. Witness did not recommend the installation of an automatic alarm system because he considered the precautions taken were adequate.