FIRES AND FIRE-ESCAPES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3646, 24 January 1899, Page 5

FIRES AND FIRE-ESCAPES.

On the question of fatal fires in hotels, t Yerbnm Sap," writing from Palmerston North, says:—Allow mo to point out at 'leaat;one cause of ; these* calamities, and ito suggest a feasible means of averting that danger in the future. In two cases bf fires, in which * two persons; at least lost their lives in this immediate neighbourhood, it came out at the inquiry that the •door of the fire escape was locked, and in one, instance at least the key had been lost for some: time. On mentioning this to other hotelkeepers 1 was told, "Oh! yes, we always lock that door ourselves to .prevent the entry of tramps." Now, as I travel much myself I next’ made inquiry of various of the travelling public to find out if they were aware of .this state bf things, and found the statement nfet with horrified surprise. " Why," said , one man, " I should have made straight down that long passage, ; and what chance would there have been for me to have time to retrace my i steps ?” . The people of the hotels frequently point out the fire-escape door,'hut what a man-trap it must have been to many a poor fellow who has found it locked in his moment of extremity. !1 would suggest a door;similar to.some in use (I think in Government Buildings), heavy and handleless on the outside, but that would swing outwards with such ease that a fainting person even falling against fit would i fling it open, so that '.if he did not roll out the lira brigade would notice tho open door and send relief. i Giulcr the heading of " Fire Escapes for Women," Rhoda Cooper writes as follows; —"I had the pleasure bf being present and of taking-part in Friday evening's exhibition of the fire escapes. As lam not an expert, with the pen, I will state briefly that T would not feel the least anxious about being in a verv high building in case, of fire. I‘was asked to step into the cage, and on doing bo had not time.- to take i?i the situation, when I found myself in the arms of several firemen below. _ A pleasant sensation which I lelt in going aowji is more easily imagined than described, h went upstairs again to ask a lady Incnd. qi mine to try the escape. She was, however; disappointed,! as just then a whistle was sounded to stop the exhibition. I must sav that it is,quite gratifying to know that we have at last got a contriranee into which we- can get without thfe awful fear of falling and being smashed to pieces. lam speaking from a woman b point of view." ■■ ■. / .■■ j