CONGESTION AT FIRES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 270, 29 October 1932, Page 2

CONGESTION AT FIRES

THOUGHTLESS MOTORISTS, NAPIER RESIDENT’S COMPLAINT. The danger resulting from motorist* causing traffic congestion during fires, thereby obstructing tfie movements of the fire engine, was considered by the Hawke's Bay Automobile Association at the annual general meeting yesterday, when it was decided to refer the matter to the Napier Fire Board for further action. The question was brought up by * member of the association, who wrote the following letter;—. •’On September 24 a house was burnt ip Seapoint road, occasioning considerable risk to the neighbouring properties, including my own, The lower portion of Seapoint road, where this fire occurred, it very narrow, and during the progress of tho fire it was blocked by cars of sightseers. Rad another house caught fire, necessitating the attendance of another fire engine, the house might have been burned to tho ground before the unnecessary congestion could have been cleared sufficiently to permit tho approach of the fire engine. “In addition to this potential menace, one ear, driven by a licensed tsjd-driver, actually ran ?ver and put out of action a hydrant attached to a fire-plug while these firp-fightlpg appliances were in use. A lug was thus torn off the fire-plug, putting it completely out of action pending repair by the borough turncock. This was the fire-plug nearest the fire.*’ The correspondent added that his statement was verified by the fire superintendent, Mr Riddell, and the name of the taxi-driver was available. “On the occasion of the Simla Terrace gras* fire recently, similar congestion occurred, hampering the ■ Fire Brigade by necessitating the moving of cars before the fire engine could be advantageously placed, The writer concluded hi* letter by asking that the gravity of the situation bo brought before the association with a view to warning unthinking motorists and so avoiding a repetition at future fire*. The president (Mr J. H, Edmundson) suggested that the letter be placed la the hands of the borough traffic inspector. Dr. W. D. Fitz Gerald: It seem* to me that on such occasions a traffic inspector should be present. We have two traffic inspectors in Napier, but neither has any vehicle enabling him to cover the district quickly. Mr W. Harvey 11 think that the matter should first bo placed in the hands of the Napier Fire Board. Acting on Mr Harvey’s suggestion it was decided to place the letter in the hands of the Fire Board and to thank the member of the association for bringing the matter forward.