MORE WATCHERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23863, 14 January 1941, Page 81

MORE WATCHERS

NEED EMPHASISED

GUARD EACH BUILDING FIGHTING INCENDIARIES By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received January .18, ?.:?(» p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12 Although 100,000 fire-watchers have been enrolled in London the number of fires started on Saturday night showed that too many buildings were not watched. Firemen in some cases were forced to break down doors in order to put out small fires threatening blocks. Newspapers emphasise that while the value of the property saved by the efforts of fire-watchers was incalculable, it could have been greater st ill. Mr, Herbert Morrison. Minister of Home S"cnrity, emphasised that the lesults were still short of requirements in many boroughs, and that in every district at least one member of each family should volunteer so that not a single house, office, factory or building would be left unprotected. The raid found the army of volunteer "spotters" as well as London's firefighters prepared. Almost every incendiary bomb which could be reached was pounced upon quickly and extinguished. Nevertheless, fires at one period called for all fhe skill and resource of the fire-fighters. Two innovations Indued to defeat the attack. Sandbags placed at the foot of many lamp posts proved useful against incendiaries, and air raid precautions wardens were given authority to enter premises in case of danger.