FIRE AT AERODROME

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 76, 11 March 1933, Page 6

FIRE AT AERODROME

NEW CLUB HOUSE DAMAGED GOOD SAVE EFFECTED. MAORIS GIVE THE ALARM. Thanks to a timely warning by two Maoris of Bridge Pa, the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Club’s new clubhouse was saved from total destruction by fire last evening. It would seem that during the alter, noon shavings and rubbish were being burnt in a barrel and a spark was blown under the club-house. About 6.20 o’clock two Maoris were passing by and saw the smoke coining irom under the floor. They called to three men working in the vicinity of the new aerodrome and the officers who were at the Longlands aerodrome were informed. At the same time the alarm was given to the Hastings Eire Brigade. When the brigade, which was practising at Nelson Park, arrived on the scene the club officials and several others had the fire under control, but not before they had torn up the verandah floor. The brigade’s high pressure hydrant quickly subdued tho outbreak.

The estimated damage is £lOO, but a portion of this was occasioned by the fact that tho doors and other fittings of the club-house were removed by the officials and helpers, who were greatly handicapped in combating the flames by having only buckets of water at their disposal. Superintendent R. Henderson, m conversation with a “Tribune” reporter this morning, paid a tribute to the excellent work that was done before tho brigade arrived. “They unquestionably saved the building from total destruction,’’ he declared. Mr R. D. Brown, secretary of the club, desires us to express the club’s thanks to the two Maoris who gave the warning and also to those who rendered valuable assistance in what amounted to a “good save.” The club-house was covered by a policy for £550 in the Alliance office. We are informed that the function set down for next Thursday evening at the club-house will not be interfered with by last night’s occurrence.