DOMMINION’S FIRE LOSS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 12

DOMMINION’S FIRE LOSS

DECREASE IN OUTBREAKS.

The remarkable drop in national fire wastage for the past two years is the subject of comment by Mr R. GirJingButcher, Inspector of Eire Brigades, in his annual report, presented to Parliament.

The loss by fire in 1933 was £644,781, compared with £867,714 in 1932, and an average of £1,332,032 for the five years from 1927 to 1931. The loss for 1933, expressed in relation to population, was 8s 4d a head, the lowest figure recorded for the past 30 years. The principal cause of the marked reduction in fire loss appeared to be the more general understanding by tho public of tho facts regarding fires. The marked decrease in the number of fires, particularly in business premises, was evidence of the greater care with respect to lire which had been forced on the public through the severity of the depression. The fire loss in fire districts in the year ended March 31 last was £245,195, and in areas protected by fire boards £39,158, a total of £284,353, compared with £201)736 in the previous year. The increase was due in some degree to the inclusion of additional fire districts (city of Nelson and several areas included in the Auckland metropolitan district), but mainly to the fact that, although the number of fires was slightly lower (732 compared with 737) the number involving a loss of over £SOOO increased from four to 12. Of these four occurred in Auckland (£50,353), one in Wellington (£5100), five in Christchurch (£66,174), and two in Dunedin (£14,922), the loss in 12 fires being £136,549 or practically half the total loss for the year. Seven fatalities due to fires were recorded during the year, the number being the same as in 1932. Pour were due to persons being trapped inside burning buildings, and three were due to persons using petrol inside buildings in the vicinity of fires or naked lights. “The year’s records show that there has been no great variation in the causes from which fires arise,” said Mr Girling-Butcher. “Pride of place as the principal fire hazard is still held by the unguarded domestic fireplace, while fires from electrical equipment tend to increase, mainly owing to electrical irons and radiators being left on after use. Next in order come fires from smokers’ carelessness with matches, pipes, and cigarettes, this hazard being a prolific cause of fire in business premises. Fires from naked lights (candles, lamps, etc.) are decreasing in number with the greater use of electricity, but those from the domestic use of petrol inside buildings (home dry-cleaning) appear to be increasing and are the most prolific source of personal' injury.”