DEATH AT FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22578, 17 November 1936, Page 6

DEATH AT FIRE

BRIGADE OFFICER SUDDEN HEART SEIZURE STRIKING TRIBUTE FROM CHIEF [from our own correspondent] MELBOURNE, Nov. iq A man who had lived in fire stations ever since lie was six years of ago died in tragic circumstances when directing operations at a> city fire this week. He was Third Officer G. C. Lindsey, of the Metropolitan Kirr Brigade, aged 51 years, who fell from the platform of a ladder carriage to the roadway a few minutes after arriving at a fire-which destroyed premises occupied by Philips Lamps (Australasia), Limited, in Bourke Street. Mr. Lindsey directed the opening of the attack on the fierce blaze, and then jumped to the platform of an extension ladder carrjage as the ladder was beinjr swung so that a hose could be directed to tliii i ; eat of the fire. He was seen to topple back and fall to the roadway, only a few feet below. It was established later that Mr. Lindsey had had a heart seizure. He had undergone considerable exertion in running round the building to see the extent of the outbreak. Every fireman in Melbourne admired Mr. Lindsey for his efficiency, courtesy and courage, and the chief officer of the brigade, Mr. J. T. Wilkins, was greatly distressed when he heard the news of Mr. Lindsey's death. "I regarded him as the best fireman we had in Australia," said Mr. Wilkins. "It will be impossible to replace him. It is a calamity to lose him like that. I had the utmost reliance in him. He was as straight as a gun-barrel." Mr. Lindsey was the son of a fireman, Mr. Charles Lindsey. The son joined the metropolitan brigade when aged only 15 years. He rose in the service until he became a district officer in 1922 and third officer in 1928. In that post he was the right-hand man of the chief officer. Mr. Lindsey's fine record of service gained for him membership of the British Institute of. Fire Engineers. Borne on a fire waggon, draped in black, the body was taken from the firebrigade headquarters on Eastern Hill I to the Melbourne General Cemetery this ! afternoon. Firemen, police and a host of other friends and admirers united in paying a striking last tribute to an exceptionally popular officer.