TIMELY DISCOVERY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 21 July 1937, Page 8

TIMELY DISCOVERY

FIRE AT AWAPUNI HOME. GOOD SA\ T E EFFECTED. The timely discovery of a nurse and the' prompt action of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade prevented serious consequences when a fire broke out at the Awapuni Home early this morning. The outbreak occurred in the roof ol a corridor which connects the eastern wing with the main building, and the flames had a good hold when they were first noticed at 5.45 a.m. if appears that within the budding there was no indication that a fire had broken out, and not even a smell ot smqke to arouse suspicion, and it was only when one of the nurses had occasion to go outside that she noticed the flames breaking through. The Fire Brigade were summoned and were promptly on the scene. Ihe fire by that time had attacked the mam root, but a particularly good save was made. The damage was confined mainly to the roof and is not very extensive. Jho origin of the outbreak is put down to a heating system, the pipes of which pass through the roof at tins point. STAFF’S FINE EXAMPLE.

Those on the scene after the outbreak pay an enthusiastic tribute to the matron and nurses who dealt with the situation and prepared for extreme emergency with commendable calm. There was an entire absence of panic on the part of. the staff and inmates, although it was known that the fire could have very serious consequence* bad the brigade been less prompt and efficient . . The building is insured.