AUCKLAND FIRE INQUIRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24775, 27 November 1941, Page 8

AUCKLAND FIRE INQUIRY

EVIDENCE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. Giving evidence to-day at the inquiry into the fire at the warehouse of John Burns, Ltd., Howard Keith Brown, an • . electrical engineer, said that his firm did all the electrical work for John Burns. Ltd. Jack Campbell, who had been working there on the morning of the fire, held a half-licence, which did not permit him to do wiring by himself. To the chairman. Mr F. K. Hunt, witness said that Campbell had no right to touch a broken plug at the premises of John Burns. Ltd. To Mr North,, representing the Fire Board, witness said that Campbell was not under supervision between 8 and 8.20 on the morning of the fire, and could have attempted anything. Campbell disconnected > the fire alarm system. but did not notify the Fire Brigade. as should have been done To Mr Goldstine, for the Queensland Insurance Company, witness said he did not know that no unregistered wireman should disconnect the automatic fire alarm from the fire station. To the chairman, witness said if he had a job to-day similar to that which Campbell had on the morning of the fire, he would do exactly as Campbell had done. Electricians were doing (hat sort of thing every day.