Ballantyne's Fire Inquiry

Northern Advocate, 13 March 1948, Page 5

Ballantyne's Fire Inquiry

CHRISTCHURCH. Sat. (P.A.i—Further eye-witness accounts of events on the occasion of the fire which destroyed the drapery premises of J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd., on November 17, with the loss of 41 lives, were given yesterday before the Royal Commission.

Sir Harold Johnston, K.C., is chairman of the commission.

A salesman in Ballantyne’s furnishing department, Norman Burwoorl Bowles, said he first saw smoke at approximately 3.45. When he first saw girls in Goodman’s Building they were laughing and waving. “When the fire broke out it sounded as if someone had opened a window,” he said. “I could hear a roar of air and an outburst of flames. “It had a similarity to the lighting ol petrol. “I then heard girls screaming for help.” To Mr E. A. Lee. for the City Council, witness said the standard of care in the cellar was high. HELPED PEOPLE OUT There was no sign of fire up to the time he left the furnishing department at about 3.30 p.m., said John Edmund Foote, warehouseman, who had been employed by Ballantyne’s. He was at the furniture factory in Lichfield Street for some 10 minutes and on the way back saw smoke which increased in density as he got to the softgoods furnishing department. Describing what he saw when he left the building, Foote said flames appeared to burst out inside the display window of the linoleum section on the "round floor. “I then moved into Cashel Street, and as I went I saw flames shooting through the first floor of Goodman’s Building,” he said. “I went into the building in Cashel Street and assisted 12 to 15 members of the staff to get out of the hosiery and glove department doors.” Foote said Mr Ronald Ballantyne and Mr Novell, the general manager, were assisting generally to get people out. He went to the cellar of Congreve's Building possibly once a day. At no time had he seen evidence of heat generating in any piles of material. FIRE DOORS CLOSED Barry Frederick. Thomas Ohlson, junior assistant in Ballantyne’s furnishing department for about a week before the fire, said there was no smoke at about 3.35. Later, when smoke became thick he decided to leave. He stayed on the other side of the road until he first saw flames on the first floor of Congreve’s Building. He saw girls in Goodman’s Building, who were smiling, but who later called for help.

“Before I started to cover the stock the fire doors in the department wei’e closed,” said witness.

The commission adjourned until Monday, when evidence will be given by members of the fire brigade.