STILL SMOULDERING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23054, 3 December 1936, Page 9

STILL SMOULDERING

RUINS OF CRYSTAL PALACE THE ESTIMATED DAMAGE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 1. Two towers and a strip of building on the north side are all that remain of the Crystal Palace. The ruins are still smouldering, with intermittent bursts of flames. One hundred firemen are still hosing.

It is stated that the towers are out of danger, and that the inhabitants of nearby houses, who were ordered to leave their homes, will return, though it will be necessary to pull down the towers. The estimated damage exceeds £2,000,000.

A rescued cat frantically tried to reach its kittens, and was finally snatched from the flames by the tail. The kittens perished. The fire brigade reports that the fire started at 8 p.m.. and was over come at 11.45 p.m. Four firemen were slightly injured.

Sir Henrv Buckland states that the insurance is nothing like the value of the building. It would cost between £4,000,000 and £5,000,000 to build another palace. The site is held in perpetuity by the nation,'and of course will be utilised. His theory is that the fire was due to a gas explosion. FIRE BRIGADE’S NEW HOSE (British Official, Wireless! RUGBY, Dec. 1. (Received Dec. 2, at 5.5 p.m.) The new hose lorry of the London Fire Brigade, which can reel out one mile and a-half of hose at 15 miles an hour, was demonstrated yesterday afternoon and a few hours later was in service for the first time at the Crystal Palace fire.