lore Evidence From Fire Brigades*

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1948, Page 3

lore Evidence From Fire Brigades*

CHRISTCHURCH, Mon. (P.A.)—A start on the hearing of evidence of eight further members of the Christchurch Fire Brigade was made this morning by the Royal Commission inquiring into Ballantyne’s fire on November 18.

Hector Adair Campbell, second-class fireman, said that an extremely dense column of smoke was coming from Ballantyne's as the engine he was on reached Colombo Street, via Lichfield Street. UP THE LADDER Campbell said he saw two men struggling with the Ajax extension ladder. Normally he would have received instructions from an officer, but he heard that girls were trapped and he considered it his duty to render assistance. Dobson, himself, and a third fireman went up the ladder. Campbell said that while going up he saw no girls, but he had the impression that there were two girls up there. He had no knowledge of exactly where'they were.

There was no sign of flame on the third floor. He did not feel any heat at the top of the ladder. “While I was looking at the window and considering the possibility of getting up to it, I looked down and saw flames from the first floor licking out through the ladder,” he "I realised that if I did not get down I would have to jump.” Campbell said he should have reported to the officer in charge of his machine when he had discharged his original duty, but he did not. (Proceeding)