DID BRIGADE IGNORE WARNING OF BIG FIRE ?

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1949, Page 7

DID BRIGADE IGNORE WARNING OF BIG FIRE ?

AUCKLAND, Feb 23.

A woman’s allegation that she called at the Central Fire Station in Pitt Street, Auckland, to report the lire which destroyed the old Grammar School on January 15, about an hour and a half before the brigade turned out in response to a street lire alarm call has been dismissed. It was thoroughly investigated by the Metropolitan Fire Soara and discussed in committee/ to-day. The board later issued a statement to the press, saying that it had decided lo take no further action in the matter. Police inquiries, however, are being continued. The chairman of the board, Mr B. Brigham, informed the press that there was conflict between the statements by the woman concerned, Mrs Aldridge, an employee of Ryecrofts near the scene of the fire and information given by another woman, who called the brigade from the street fire alarm.

He said that almost every statement made by Mrs Aldridge had been proved to be inaccurate, uncorroborated or entirely without foundation. She lefit the boardinghouse at 6.10 o’clock on the morning of January 29 without leaving any forwarding address.