FIRE OUTBREAKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12175, 26 November 1917, Page 6

FIRE OUTBREAKS.

A SERIES IX SYDENHAM. About an liour after mid night on Saturday the City I'M re Brigade received a telephone message stating that a Miiall outbreak of liro had occurred at the back of Strahan's fishmonger's shop at 432, Colombo Street, Sydenham, but that the brigade's service* would not bo required, as the (ire had been put out . with a few buckets of water. Superintendent Warner sent a man to report, and as the result of his inquiries is of opinion that the outbreak was erf a suspicious .character. It vas reported that there wore three, small outbreaks, one in the smokehouse of the fish shop and another in a. Stahle, while in a lane some straw alongside the Sydenham Football Club's building was blazing, lu the other ca-ses rubbish ana 1 paper were burning. It is stated _ that a dance had taken place in the hall on the Saturday evening and that quite a number of young men were about after midnight. Tt is possible the lighting or dropping of cigarettes may i have had some connection with the outbreak. ; MANCHESTER STREET EIRE. The buildings in Manchester Street South damaged 'by five on Saturday morning were owned by R. M. Morten's estate, and were insured with the National Insurance Company in two 'separate amounts of £IOO. The insurances do not cover tuo damage. ;" FALSE ALARMS. The brigade received a false call at ■ 9.40 o'clock on Saturday night and another about three hours later. One alarm was delivered through a slot telejphone. Tn connection with one of the alarms the name of a man who was .found near the box when the engines ■turned, was taken. NO CAUSE FOR ANXIETY. SUPERINTENDENT WARNER'S VIEWS. ■• Interviewed by a "Star" reporter, the, chief of the Eire Brigade. Superintendent, Warner, said that there was nothing itn the -recent outbreaks of tire in the city to cause general alarm among the citizens. Christchureh was well provided for so far as dealing with fire, outbreaks were concerned, and rho brigade could bo relied upon to cope with any work the men were called upon to undertake, whether in the city, or the more outlying portions of the board's area. There was absolutely nothing to warrant a, feeling of insecurity among the jitizens because of recent occurrences.

The reporter also made inquiries among the leading insurance, companies as to whether there had heen any signs of a "panic" or rush to insure against fire, but in nearly every case was told that little beyond the normal inquiries and issue of policies was being experienced. Tn a few instances extra, insurances on Stock had been effected, but generally speaking the householders of Christchurch were remaining calm.