GAS IRON CAUSES FIRE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 November 1924, Page 4

GAS IRON CAUSES FIRE.

OUTBREAK QUICKLY SUPPRESSED

ASBESTOS PROTECTION INADEQUATE.

A gas iron, left standing on an asbestos sheet while it became hot enough for ironing, caused an outbreak of fire at -Mr. E. A. Pacey’s residence in Regent Street at about 9.30 o’clock this morning. The Hawera Fire Brigade was called,, but on arrival found little remained to be done, Mrs. Pacey having got the better of the outbreak. Mrs. Pacey'-'told a Star reporter that she had lit the gas iron and left it for a few minutes to get hot—it usually took about a quarter of an hour —and on returning found the room in flames. The ironing cloth and blanket were partly burnt, and a patch of scorched lining on the wall' bore evidence of the danger which had but a few minutes before faced the occupants of the house. In conversation with the superintendent of the brigade (Mr. Morrison) it was learned that asbestos plates when they become hot are unsafe, and that tests by the Government inspec- , tors had shown that such protection for. wood from irons was not entirely reliable. Mr. Morrison said that a concrete sheet with, two-inch legs was recommended.