THE EXHIBITION FIRE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVII, 18 August 1910, Page 5

THE EXHIBITION FIRE.

LOSS ESTIMATED AT £2,000,000. CONFUSED FIRE-FIGHTING. tPKEHS ASSOCIATION.] (Received August 18, 8.30 a.m.) JjUxnDOjN, August 18. Great Britain has suggested xo Jbelgiuin the appointment oi a joint board of experts to apportion the responsibility in connection with the exnituoion fire. It is possible ,that the Belgian Government is liable tor amounts not ,-ecoverable under insurance. The Times estimates the total loss at £2,01)0,000 sterling. The Journal de Brussels justifies th-j complaints of correspondents that the firemen were unable to find the hydrants and that the hoses were too short. While the fire was spreading the firemen squabbled for leadership. Another great fault was following, instead of isolating, the fire. Other statements are to the effe.jt that the British hose was taken out directly the Belgian section was threatened, but the pressure was only equal to a toy squirt. Five attendants, finding it impossible to stay the fire, attempted to save the art furniture and tapestry ; but excited soldiery and police rusted in, fixil bayonets, and forced the attendants to leave the building. The safe containing the De Beer's diamonds has been recovered. HOW THE FIRE WAS STARTED. The Times asserts that the watchman admitted that he caused the fire at tlie Brussels exhibition by lighting his Pipe.