HOSPITAL RAZED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26328, 6 December 1946, Page 9

HOSPITAL RAZED

PATIENTS SAFELY REMOVED SPECTACULAR MORNING FIRE (P.A.) OPOTIKI, Dec. 5. The main buildings of the Opotiki Public Hospital were completely destroyed by fire in the early hours of this morning. The buildings were situated on Hospital Hill, about two miles from Opotiki, and, although a water main was recently laid near the hospital, there was no hydrant for fire fighting purposes. The fire broke out in the detached domestic quarters, and for half an hour the Opotiki Volunteer Fire Brigade held it in check, using hand pumps and buckets passed from hand to hand. When it was seen that the main building was likely to catch fire, all the patients were immediately taken outside, and a large number of people assisted the staff in clearing the building, including the main nurses’ building, of practically everything. The X-ray plant was dismantled and safely removed. The fire was the most spectacular seen in Opotiki for many years. As soon as possible, all the patients were brought into Opotiki, where St. Mary’s Hall was turned into an emergency hospital. Lorries worked through the early hours, 'bringing beds and other equipment into the borough. Insurances, held by the State Department. are approximately £7OOO. Plans were prepared some time ago for a new 60-bed hospital and nurses home on a nearby site. The new maternity home, which was to be ready to be occupied on Saturday, will now be used as an emergency hospital. The isolation ward, some distance away, was never in danger.