LEAP FROM BURNING BUILDING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 June 1927, Page 2

LEAP FROM BURNING BUILDING

NARROW ESCAPES: TRAINEES SCORCHED.

BRISBANE, May 26. Several trainees who lent assistance in the fight against a fire which destroyed three blocks of military buildings at Ennogern yesterday had narrow escapes.

The fire did damage estimated at over £30,000, which is not covered by insurance. Tunics, tents, and general baggage, which were stored in the buildings, were destroyed. Trainees attending the camp, headed by .the base commandant (General Eoott),' who had just made an inspection of the youths, were among the lirst on the scene.

When smoke was seen rising about four o’clock the commandant seized a hose, and, attaching it to a hydrant, installed himself as a fire-fighter till the Ithaca fire brigade arrived. The water supply was poor, and as the fire had a. big hold the three buildings were completely gutted. One trainee, finding the flames advancing on him as he worked on an upper storey, leaped 30ft to the ground without injury, and made his way out. Another lad was not so fortunate, and had to be'rescued with a ladder. Strangely enough, no injuries were sustained, though scorcliings were general.