FIRE ESCAPES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 28 September 1934, Page 6

FIRE ESCAPES

(To the Editor) Sir, —The letter from “Pro Bono Publico'; is opportune. In this lie asks the very pertinent question: “Is there any by-law which insists that all houses ol more than one storey must have some sort of fire escape?” As far as hotels are concerned I think we can dismiss them from tlie list of our anxieties. Hotels are controlled by the Licensing Committee. If conditions do not come up to requirements the license can be instantly cancelled. Hotels, furthermore, are subject to frequent visits from, an observant police force which certainly does not neglect its duties in this regard. Boarding houses are subject to municipal control and to the sanitary inspectors, who I fancy keep them up to scratch very welt indeed. But the strenuous times through which we have been passing lias compelled many people to hire rooms by the week —sometimes by the night—and for these there seems to be absolutely no protection. These rooms are frequently located upstairs, and are neither provided with fire escapes, nor with decent- convenient sanitary arrangements. Houses of this description do not, I understand, come under any municipal supervision at present. The sooner they are placed under strict supervision the better for all, particularly lor the unhappy tenants of such “apartments’’ who arc frequently of a class who cannot very well voice their just grievances. To let rooms of this description is, for the proprietor, an easy way to get money, and also to avoid work, as. most of these tenants do their own house cleaning, etc., often under difficulties. The obligation of the proprietor, seemingly, begins and ends .with the collection of his or her rent, 'which not infrequently is demanded "in advance.” The sooner this undesirable state of affairs is rectified the better. All such “rooms to let” should be instantly provided, not- with “some sort 1 .of a, fire escape”—some antiquated and futile contraption—but with a safe ancl up-to-date method of reaching safety in case of emergency, and it should be approved by the City Engineer. Its location and its mode of use should be the very first thing pointed out to the prospective tenant, and as a human being he should also have the right to the use of the bath, a.inj to ordinary decent conveniences.—l am, etc., OBSERVER.