FIRE BOMBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24808, 7 January 1942, Page 6

FIRE BOMBS

METHOD OF EXTINCTION USE OF WATER FAVOURED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 6. Following a number of experiments conducted at the Central Fire Station, Wellington, in extinguishing incendiary bombs, a conference of New Zealand fire brigade superintendents to-day considered proposals involving modifications of the existing instructions for dealing with such bombs. It was stated subsequently that the superintendents had fully endorsed the proposal to recommend a departure from the British instructions and to advocate that water should be used as the principal extinguishing agent, directed in streams or used from buckets, sand to be regarded as a secondary unit.

The conference is reported also to have fully endorsed the principle that the experiments had revealed that it was useless to attempt to deal with bombs unless there were fire guards in buildings

A demonstration of the quenching of fire bombs of the magnesium thermite type by dousing with water was given at the Central Fire Station, Wellington, before 500 people this morning. The Dominion fire controller, Mr R. Girl-ing-Butcher, explained the technique. Among those present were the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, the Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, and Mr S. S. Dean, chairman of the Wellington Fire Board.

Before the demonstration, Mr Fraser stressed the importance of knowing how to deal with fire bombs, and expressed the appreciation of the Government to all those concerned in the organisation against the incendiary bomb danger. Further experiments were conducted during the day to clarify points brought out in the morning tests. Types of bucket pumps were demonstrated, and there were discussions on the question of equipment to be used, as well as its availability. It was decided to point out that with the limited number of bucket pumps available any type of spray pump would be suitable, jrovided it produced a steady stream of water. It is intended to make arrangements for a public test, as it was found that the crowd present at the demonstration this morning was far too unwieldy for an effective exhibition.